Patent Application
20220296989
This disclosure is directed to an amusement game and methods for playing the game. The disclosure is also directed to a game based upon the activities of a cat or other figure or object.
There are many types of games, some of which include activities by one or more players. The games may also include elements which include chance, or randomized activity. For example, many games include decks of cards, one or more die, or other mechanical devices as part of game play. Players manipulate these devices in order to advance toward a goal.
These goals may include moving a game piece on a patterned game board, acquiring or disposing of game pieces, tokens, or other tangible elements. In some games, a game piece is moved from one point to another as the main objective of the game. The first game piece to reach the goal represents a win for the player using that game piece. Other games may involve players acquiring game pieces and through the operation of the game, disposing their game pieces as described by the rules of the game. The first player to dispose of all of the assigned game pieces is declared the winner. Still other games involve the acquisition of game pieces through the operation of the game and the player with the most game pieces at the prescribed end of the game is declared to be the winner.
Games can include some or all of these elements, and also other elements such as a randomized device representing the behaviors of a cat. What is needed then is such a game that allows players to live vicariously through the randomized behaviors of the typical cat.
The present disclosure overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with current strategies and designs and provides new tools and methods for a game based upon the activities of a cat, figure, or object.
One embodiment of the disclosure is directed to game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat, figure, or object.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat, figure, or object that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a board game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an electronic game involving a digitally (i.e., electronic, software, application, program) created cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated figure or object that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a board game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated figure or object that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an electronic game involving a digitally created figure or object that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action. Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a board game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an electronic game involving a digitally created cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a board game involving a mechanically and/or electromechanically automated cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an electronic game involving a digitally created cat that responds to the actions of players by a randomized resulting action.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a game board, wherein the game board includes at least one zone of play, the zone of play including at least one game path, the game path including a start point and a finish point, wherein the start point and the finish point is separated by at least one intermediate step; at least one marker, wherein the marker engages the zone of play, the game path, the start point, the finish point, the at least one intermediate step; at least one marker movement device, wherein the marker movement device determines the movement of the marker in the zone of play; a programmable game device, wherein the programmable game device engages the zone of play and includes: a processor and a memory for storing instructions, at least one input for receiving at least one game piece, a reservoir for storing the at least one game piece, at least one output for presenting the at least one game piece, a conveyance to move the at least one game piece within the programmable game device, and an actuator for selectively moving the programmable game device.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a programmable game device that includes at least one door that selectively engages the programmable game device and secures the reservoir.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a conveyance of the programmable game device that includes a plurality of implements for moving game pieces within the programmable game device.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a programmable game device that includes a control unit for operating the programmable game device.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a programmable game device includes a control unit for operating a motor, wherein the motor is connected to a rotational element and a platform supporting the programmable game device.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a platform selectively engages the game board.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a game board that includes at least one tray for receiving and/or storing at least one game piece.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a marker movement device that is a random number value generator corresponding to the number of spaces on the game board.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a programmable game device includes an exterior housing that is formed in at least one of the shape of an animate and an inanimate object.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a board game component and a digital game component, wherein the board game component and the digital game component includes a game board and a digital game board, wherein the game board includes a first zone of play, the first zone of play including at least one game path, the game path including a start point and a finish point, wherein the start point and the finish point is separated by at least one intermediate step; at least one marker, wherein the marker engages the first zone of play, the game path, the start point, the finish point, the at least one intermediate step; at least one marker movement device, wherein the marker movement device determines the movement of the marker in the first zone of play; a first programmable game device for the board game component, wherein the first programmable game device engages the first zone of play and includes a processor and a memory for storing instructions and digital communication, at least one input for receiving at least one game piece, a reservoir for storing the at least one game piece, at least one output for presenting the at least one game piece, a conveyance to move the at least one game piece within the first programmable game device, and an actuator for selectively moving the first programmable game device; a second programmable game device for the digital game component, wherein the second programmable game device engages a digital zone of play and includes at least one digital input for receiving at least one digital game piece, a digital reservoir for storing the at least one digital game piece, at least one digital output for presenting the at least one digital game piece, a digital conveyance to move the at least one digital game piece within the second programmable game device, a digital actuator for selectively moving the second programmable game device, and a digital communicator to communicate with the first programmable game device.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a first set of cards for use with the board game component and a second set of digital game cards for use with the digital game component.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a first set of cards and the second set of cards that include an electronic component for wireless communication between the board game component and the digital game component.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a programmable game device of the board game component that includes at least one door that selectively engages the programmable game device and secures the reservoir and wherein the conveyance of the programmable game device of the board game component includes a plurality of implements for moving game pieces within the programmable game device of the board game component.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a programmable game device of the board game component that includes a control unit for operating a motor, wherein the motor is connected to a rotational element and a platform supporting the programmable game device, wherein the platform selectively engages the game board, wherein the game boards include at least one tray for receiving and/or storing at least one game piece.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including marker movement devices that are random number value generators corresponding to the number of spaces on the game boards.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including programmable game devices that include an exterior housing that is formed in at least one of the shape of an animate and an inanimate object.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a digital game, wherein the digital game includes a digital game board, wherein the digital game board includes a programmable game device for the digital game, wherein the programmable game device engages a digital zone of play and includes at least one digital input for receiving at least one digital game piece, a digital reservoir for storing the at least one digital game piece, at least one digital output for presenting the at least one digital game piece, a digital conveyance to move the at least one digital game piece within the second programmable game device, a digital actuator for selectively moving the second programmable game device, and a digital communicator to communicate with the first programmable game device.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a digital game that includes at least one processor; application logic comprising hardware and/or software to execute, using the at least one processor, at least one application of the digital game.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a digital game further comprising one or more communication interfaces connected to the at least one application for local and/or two-way communication.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed toward an amusement game including a digital game further comprising at least one network interface that enables communication with a remote management application via a wide area network; and storage operatively coupled to the at least one processor, the storage storing instructions that, when executed, configure the at least one processor to receive and/or transmit, using the one or more local communication interfaces, digital game data and/or software and/or firmware updates.
Other embodiments and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in part in the description, which follows, and in part, may be obvious from this description, or may be learned from the practice of the disclosure.
The disclosure is described in greater detail by way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
As embodied and broadly described herein in the Figures, the present disclosure is directed to a game 10 that represents the activities of a figure or object, such as but not limited to, a cat device 12, including but not limited to the coughing up of hairballs, food, or other objects 46 for amusement and/or entertainment. It should be understood that the use of a cat device 12 is exemplary and not limiting. Other objects besides a cat are contemplated for cat device 12.
According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the game 10 may be in the form of a table top board game. The board game version of the cat game 10 (“board game”) may include a number of elements to enhance game play.
The board game 10 may include sections 16 denoting each individual player's zone of play 18. Each section 16 of the zone of play 18 may include a segmented path 30 with a start point 20 and an end point 22 (or finish). For example, for a four-player version of the board game 10, the board game 10 includes four zones of play 18. (It should be noted that the board game 10 can be played with fewer or more players.) Each player will choose or be given a marker 24 to be placed on the respective zone of play 18 in the start point location 20. The markers 24 may be in many forms, such as cats or standard play markers 24 (e.g., a rook-style marker). It is also anticipated that “special editions” of the board game 10 may include unique and/or licensed markers 24. In other embodiments, the board game 10 may include only a single zone of play 18, and a single segmented path 30 that all players (including a single player or multiple players) move their respective markers on. In this way, players may interact not only with the device 12 but also each other, via their respective markers. For example, if a player's marker lands on a space 26 occupied by another player's marker or players' markers, the markers may be moved to a different location—such as, but not limited to, returning to start.
In addition to the game board 14, the game 10 also includes a device for determining the movement of the markers 24. For example, a die or pair of dice 28 may be used. A throw of the die or dice 28 by the player corresponds to the number of spaces 26 to move the player's marker 24 on the segmented path 30. Alternatively, other devices to decide marker movement may be used, such as a spinner or wheel with sections denoting number of spaces 26, or other random or seemingly random number generator may be used (not shown). It is anticipated that an electronic device (not shown) may also be used to decide marker movement, such as an application, program, or the cat device 12 may include a component to decide player movement. It is anticipated that a particular roll of the die or dice 28, or other device may be required in order to move a player's marker 24 from the start point 20 and begin movement on the segmented path 30. For example, a player may have to roll or throw the number six using dice 28 in order to allow movement of the marker 24 from the start point 20.
The game 10 may also include, in the segmented path 30, a number of options apart from merely denoting spaces 26 from the start point 20 to the finish point 22. For example and without limitation, one or more spaces 26 of the segmented path 30 may include elements that affect the play of the game 10. These elements may include: “skip a turn”, “move forward X spaces”, “move back X spaces”, “pick a card”, “return to start”, “feed the cat”, and “free hairball cleanup”.
It is to be understood that the elements of the game 10, while using a cat and its related attributes as an example herein, the usage of such is not limiting. It is contemplated that other versions of the game 10 may include other objects and related objects. For example, other animals, food, byproducts, end products, inanimate objects such as machinery and equipment, imaginary objects, objects from literature or entertainment, or other objects known or to be discovered.
The game 10 may also include a deck of cards 34. A card 34 may be selected by a player if that player's marker 24 lands on a space 26 of the segmented path 30 that states “pick a card”. The deck of cards 34 may include a number of bonus actions and/or rewards. For example, the deck of cards 34 may include a “quick start” card 34 that eliminates the need to roll a six with dice 28 or other number to escape the start point 20. Other cards 34 may include “give X food to a player of your choice”, “take X food from each player”, “move forward X spaces”, move backward X spaces”, for example. The deck of cards 34 may be located at place on the game board 14 or the card deck 34 may be separate from the game board 14.
The game 10 may also include an electronic cat device 12. It should be understood that electronic cat device (“cat”) 12 may include electronic, mechanical, or a combination of electronic, mechanical and computerized components in order to perform the functions of the game 10. The cat 12 may be positioned in the center of the game board 14, or on any portion of the game board 14. It is also contemplated that cat 12 may be separable from the game board 14 and still be used to play the game 10.
The cat 12 may include a raised platform 40 that may include a tray or food dish 42 for each of players. In the example of the game board 14 for up to four players, the cat 12 may be located in the center and surrounded by four trays 42 as part of each game zone 18 for each player (also including a segmented path 30 for each player). The cat 12 may be rotate about a central axis at the center of the game board 14, so that the cat 12 may face each player at selective times in the game 10. For example, for each turn for each player, the cat 12 may rotate (or spin) about the axis at the center of the game board 14, coming to stop either in front of the active player or facing another player. Alternatively, the cat 12 and/or trays 42 may be located separately from the game board 14.
The cat 12 may also include a moveable mouth 44 in order to expel representative food and/or hairballs 46. The expelled food and/or hairballs 46 may then fall into the tray 42 in front of the active player or another player in their respective zone of play 18. The moveable mouth 44 may open and close depending upon a control unit 68 operating the cat 12. The control unit 68 may be located within the cat 12 or in communication with the cat 12. For example, the raised platform 40 upon which the cat 12 is located may include the cat control unit 68. The cat 12 may also include a loading hatch or other point of entry in order to add food and/or hairballs 46 that are stored within the cat 12 and/or raised platform 40. Alternatively, the cat 12 may receive food or hairballs 46 from players via its mouth 44.
The control unit 68 of the cat 12 may be programmable and/or adjustable. For example, the control unit 68 may be originally programmed with default game play settings. However, the control unit 68 may be reprogrammed to change the play of game 10. The reprogramming may be made via an Internet download, a switch or other control, or by changing settings of the control unit 68. The control unit 68 may include memory and/or a processor and may record and analyze prior play of game 10 in order to make future game play more interesting and/or unpredictable, by using software and/or artificial intelligence (AI).
The game 10 may include representative food pellets and/or representative hairballs 46, or other objects depending upon the theme of the particular version of the game 10. It is to be understood that in other representations of the game 10, the cat 12, the food/hairballs 46, and other elements may be changed to correspond to the theme of the game 10. The food pellets and/or hairballs 46 may be of different shapes and/or sizes to allow players to distinguish them and also for the cat 12 to process each differently. For example, the food pellets 46 may include metal so that they are magnetic and the cat may process the food pellets 46 based on that magnetic quality, while the hairballs 46 may be non-magnetic, or the opposite may be the case. As discussed previously, the food pellets and hairballs 46 may be placed into the cat 12 through one or more filling devices 50 including one or more access doors 52. The food pellets and hairballs 46 may then be stored within the cat 12 and selectively dispensed according to game play. The food pellets and hairballs 46 may be uniquely identified by a number of characteristics so that the cat 12 and the control unit 68 can determine which players' food pellets and hairballs 46 are in play at any particular time in the game 10.
In other embodiments, the cat 12 may be realized in another object, such as a piece of machinery, and the food pellets and hairballs 46 may be realized in other forms, such as candy and defective candy, for example and without limitation. Other examples in lieu a cat 12 may include a microchip machine, another animal, insect, fish, a human, or any object that can accept and/or receive inputs and outputs.
A possible object of the game 10 is for each player to feed all of the player's food pellets 46 to the cat 12 while avoiding any hairballs 46. Once a player has fed all of the player's food pellets 46 to the cat 12 (without receiving any hairballs 46) and/or moved the player's marker 24 to the finish point 22, the player wins the game 10. There may be other variations of the game 10 not involving food pellets 46 and only involving hairballs 46 and the movement of each player's marker 24 along the segmented path 30 to the finish point 22, at which time the first player to do so wins the game 10.
In another version of the game 10, the cat 12 may be pre-loaded with food and/or hairballs 46. The preloading may occur through the mouth 44 of the cat 12 or some other access point, such as a filling device 50 on the back of the cat 12. The filling device 50 includes an access door 52 that may be integrated into the body of the cat 12. The access door 52 may be disguised or otherwise hidden with respect to the cat 12, in order to preserve the natural appearance of the cat 12. In other embodiments, the filling device 50 and the access door 52 may be more obvious and may include other forms, such as a slot, opening, or other portal to allow players to load food/hairballs 46 in the cat 12. Food/hairballs 46 are loaded into the filling device 50 via the access door 52 enter a chute 54. Chute 54 extends into the body of the cat 12 and funnels pieces of food/hairballs 46 into a reservoir inlet 58 connected to a reservoir 56. The reservoir 56 collects the food/hairballs 46 and may include a sloping bottom to direct the food/hairballs 46 out of the reservoir 56 via a reservoir outlet 60. A food/hairball conveyor 62 is connected to and receives food/hairballs 46 from the reservoir 56 via the reservoir outlet 60. Food/hairballs 46 move from the reservoir 56 and are engaged by a conveyor device such as, but not limited to, conveyor cups 64. The conveyor 62 includes a plurality of conveyor cups 64 that move from the level of the reservoir 56 up, through the body of the cat 12, to the mouth 44 of the cat 12. Food/hairballs 46 are then expelled through the mouth 44 of the cat 12 and onto the game board 14 and the trays 42 of the players. The empty conveyor cups 66 return down through the body of the cat 12 to receive a new piece of food/hairball 46 and begin the cycle again. The conveyor 62 may be operated by a control unit 68 that may be operably connected to the conveyor 62 and also may control other aspects of the operation of the cat 12. In other embodiments, the conveyor 62 and cups 64 may be realized as a belt or other device(s) used to move objects including but not limited to, magnets, chain, cables, vacuum, and pressurized air, or a combination thereof.
It should be understood that some of the conveyor cups 64 may include devices to prevent the capture of a piece of food/hairball 46. For example and without limitation, the conveyor cups 64 may include devices that are selectively operable by the control unit 68 to prevent any food/hairballs 46 from entering certain conveyor cups 64 when they engage food/hairballs 46 in the reservoir 56. Alternatively, the control unit 68 may limit engagement with only one kind of food/hairball 46. In this way, the control unit 68 may have the cat 12 eject either food or a hairball 46, or nothing at all, which may enhance suspense and play of the game 10. In other embodiments, conveyor 62 and/or conveyor cups 64 may be other devices with selectable operability.
The cat 12 may include a rotational device such as a turntable 74. The turntable 74 may engage the platform 40 and using a motor (or other movement-generating device) 70, rotate the cat 12 using an axle 72, for example. The motor 70 may receive electronic and/or mechanical input from the control unit 68 to rotate and/or move the cat 12 depending upon certain actions by the players and/or by programming (e.g., software) contained within the control unit 68, the cat 12, and/or from an external source, such as but not limited to, wireless communication. For example and without limitation, a button or buttons 76 may be included in the platform 40, the cat 12 and/or another location (e.g., a remote device). Upon pressing the button 76 in the player's zone of play 18 which may include the platform 40, the cat 12 may (or may not) rotate from its initial position to a second position, which may or may not be in front of the player pressing the button(s) 76.
In one embodiment, the pressing of the button 76 may cause the cat 12 to remain stationary and, via the conveyor 62, eject one or more pieces of food/hairballs 46, or via empty conveyor cups 66, no food/hairballs 46, or a combination thereof. The cat 12 may not necessarily be facing the player pushing the button 76. However, due to the movement of the player's marker 24, roll of dice 28, or selection of one or more of the cards 34, the player may push the button 76 to command the cat 12 to operate a random and/or programmed action or set of actions, which may or may not include movement and/or activity.
In another embodiment, control and/or operation of the cat 12 may include wireless communication, such as Bluetooth™. Using a mobile device application (an “app”), for example, players may control the cat 12 without or in conjunction with using buttons 76. The cat 12 may be operated as a result and at least a portion of the game, including scoring, may occur on the app used by some or all of the players. In this way, players can be assured that no player may cheat the game 10 and accurate scoring may be kept. Additionally, the app, the cat 12, or other component of the game such as a cloud server, may store previous game results and allow for revision of game settings, such as level of difficulty, number of players, and other attributes of the game 10. In other embodiments, players may compete over a variety of platforms and/or situations. For example, a game 10 may include two players in one location playing the board game version together with the app; a third player may be playing in a second location just using the app, and a fourth player may be playing in a third location using only the board game, but with wireless communication. The players may use video conferencing, such as Zoom™ or Google Meet™ to share the game play experience. The game 10 may therefore include one or more components with Internet and/or wireless (or wired) connectivity to enable game play in more than one location.
In another embodiment, the cat 12 may be replaced by a human baby 80. The baby 80 may be loaded with food but not necessarily hairballs 46 via the filling device 50. In similar operation to the version of the game 10 involving the cat 12, the baby 80 may rotate about the platform 40 based upon the control unit 68 and/or the turntable 74 when directed by the players using buttons 76 and/or an app on a mobile device as disclosed above. In other embodiments, the cat 12 and the baby 80 may be exchanged for another figure or object. For example, the figure or object may be a recycling or trash disposal unit or vehicle and the food/hairballs 46 may be replaced by appropriate objects. In other embodiments, the cat 12 or baby 80 may be replaced by human characters, both real and imagined, fictional characters, such as from movies, television, and other entertainment, or inanimate objects, such as machinery, plants, rocks, and other objects known and to be known.
Alternatively, the cat 12, baby 80, or other figure or object may be configured to receive, rather than expel food/hairballs 46. In this embodiment, players may “feed” or load objects such as food/hairballs 46 into the mouth of the cat 12 and/or the baby 80 based upon movement of the markers 24 of the players on the game board 14. In this embodiment of the game 10, players seek to get rid of all of the food/hairballs 46 in their respective trays 42 while advancing on the segmented path 30 from the start point 20 to the finish point 22. However, players may only “feed” the cat 12/baby 80 when the mouth 44 of the cat 12/baby 80 is facing them in their zone of play 18.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the game 10 may be in the form of a video game that may be played on television 90 via a video game console 94 or other gaming device (e.g., a video streaming device, a “smart” TV with a microprocessor and memory for containing instructions, or other device configured to receive and send signals to and from a display device) with one or more players 92. The game 10 may be contained in a storage medium such as a computer disk, downloaded from the Internet to a storage device, be played while located in cloud storage, or other video game consoles 94 and video game play. The game 10 may allow for single player play (versus the computer and/or computerized players), multiplayer play (against human competitors), a combination of computerized players and human players 94, or stand-alone computer play.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the game 10 may be in the form in a computer application (“app”) or program for play on a mobile device, such as a mobile phone 100 held by hand 102 or a tablet computing device. The game 10 may be downloadable from an app store located on the Internet and accessed by the mobile device 100. The game 10 may allow for single player play (versus the computer and/or computerized players), multiplayer play (against human competitors), a combination of computerized players and human players, or stand-alone computer play.
The following examples illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, but should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.
The game 10 may be realized in the form of a tribute to a movie, television show, or other form of entertainment (i.e., books, comic books, paintings). For example, the game may be realized in the form of an episode of I Love Lucy™ wherein Lucille Ball is a worker at a candy factory. The conveyor belt continues to accelerate, causing the Lucy character to be overwhelmed in dealing with the increasing volume of chocolates and the resulting unpredictable results.
In another example, the game 10 may be realized as a tribute or acknowledgement to the sport of professional eating. One famous example of professional eating the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog eating contest. The contestants are given hot dogs and must consume them within a time period. The game 10 may represent a contestant being “fed” hot dogs by each of the players, with the resulting unpredictable results.
Other embodiments and uses of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. All references cited herein, including all publications, U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications, are specifically and entirely incorporated by reference. The term comprising, where ever used, is intended to include the terms consisting and consisting essentially of. Furthermore, the terms comprising, including, and containing are not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure indicated by the following claims.
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/162,648 filed on Mar. 18, 2021, the entire contents and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63162648 | Mar 2021 | US |
