Patent Application
20110018200
Typical board games involve a competition between players or teams and results in one of the players or teams being deemed the winner. For a board game to be successful it is necessary that the excitement level is maintained throughout the entirety of the game, and that all players or teams desire to win. A board game that quickly loses the interest of the players or teams risks an early ending of the game.
Also typical is that as game play ensues, it may become apparent whom the winner and losers are going to be. In such a situation, the apparent losers may lose interest and excitement in the game and choose to forfeit or develop a lackluster attitude towards finishing the game.
It would be desirable to provide a novel board game which would increase player interest and which would help to decrease the desire to prematurely stop the game.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a board game is disclosed wherein more than one player may be deemed a winner and winner(s) are determined by the outcome of a series of chance events. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a board game is disclosed wherein one or more games are copending and result in at least two outcomes where there can be one or more different winners. The board game disclosed herein generates excitement for players because each player may win one or more times. The excitement level is high for each player throughout the entirety of the game because while the player may be lagging behind in the first copending game, the player may still have a chance to win the second copending game.
In accordance with the present invention, a board game is disclosed wherein the winning players of a game are determined by a chance event, and the winning player(s) of a second copending game is/are determined by the results of the first copending game.
In one embodiment a board game is provided including a game board, a movement selector, and a plurality of game pieces, the game board including a game path having a plurality of tracks adjacent one another, each track having a start cell, a finish cell and a plurality of intervening cells between the start and finish cells, each track further including indicia that permits the track to be associated with one of the plurality of game pieces, each game piece comprising indicia that permits the game piece to be associated with one of the plurality of tracks, the game board further comprising one or more spaces which may include the indicia WIN, PLACE and/or SHOW or some equivalent such as FIRST, SECOND and/or THIRD, wherein the board game is operable to be used by one or more players to choose a game piece, activate the movement selector to determine the number of cells the player's game piece will move along the track associated with the game piece, and to select the game piece that the player believes will reach the finish cell first, and optionally select the game piece that the player believes will reach the finish cell second, and optionally select the game piece that the player believes will reach the finish cell third.
In one embodiment the board game further includes a plurality of cards and each of the tracks further includes at least one cell having indicia instructing a player to select a card from the plurality of cards. The game board may include at least one space designated for placement of the plurality of cards.
In one embodiment the game pieces may be in the form of an animal, a vehicle or some other suitable shape or design, preferably matching the theme of the board game. In most embodiments the game is a race, therefore suitable game piece figures in a horse race theme would be horses, with or without jockeys. In a car race the game pieces would preferably be cars, and so on.
The movement selector may be any known selector such as a spinner, die or dice, cards, etc. In one embodiment the movement selector is a plurality of dice, wherein movement of a piece is dependent on the outcome of the roll of the plurality of dice, and the outcome of the roll of the dice is interpreted in accordance with standard poker hands.
The board game can include a deck of cards such as standard playing cards. In one embodiment each of the standard playing cards is assigned a value corresponding to the face of the playing card, wherein the assigned value is the number of cells a player selecting the card is to move the player's game piece. In another embodiment, the deck of cards includes cards which have one or more questions and corresponding answers, and may include a value corresponding to a number of cells a player selecting the card is to move the player's game if the player provides the answer on the card in response to the corresponding question.
In another embodiment a method of playing a board game is disclosed for at least one player comprising the steps of: a) providing a game board that comprises a game path having a plurality of tracks adjacent one another, each track comprising a start cell, a finish cell and a plurality of intervening cells between the start and finish cells, each track further comprising indicia that permits the track to be associated with one of a plurality of game pieces, each game piece comprising indicia that permits the game piece to be associated with one of the plurality of tracks; b) providing a movement selector for determining the number of cells a game piece is to be moved along the track associated with the game piece; c) determining an order of play such that the at least one first player plays first; d) activating the movement selector to determine a first number of cells the at least one player is to move along the track associated with the player's game piece; e) moving the game piece of the at least one player from the start cell in a direction along the track the number of cells indicated by the movement selector; f) repeating steps d) through e) to move at least two other game pieces in turn; g) repeating steps d) through f) until at least a first and second game piece have reached the finish cell; h) requiring the at least one player to select, before step c) or d), the game piece that the at least one player believes will reach the finish cell first, and optionally select the game piece that the at least one player believes will reach the finish cell second, and optionally select the game piece that the at least one player believes will reach the finish cell third.
In an embodiment in which the game board includes at least one space bearing the indicia WIN, PLACE and/or SHOW, the method includes requiring players to place a marker associated with a game piece in the space corresponding to an order in which the players believe the game piece will reach the finish cell.
In an embodiment in which the game includes a deck of cards, the method includes requiring a player whose game piece lands on the cell instructing a player to select a card to select a card and to move the game piece the number of cells indicated on the card. The method may include requiring a player to answer a question correctly before moving the player's game piece.
The method may include providing dice as a movement selector and associating standard poker hands with a value corresponding to the number of cells a game piece is to move and interpreting the outcome of the roll of the of dice in accordance with standard poker hands to determine the number of cells to move.
In another embodiment an electronic board game is provided having a non-transient, computer readable, storage medium containing a program, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform actions which can include a) providing a virtual game board that comprises a game path having a plurality of tracks adjacent one another, each track comprising a start cell, a finish cell and a plurality of intervening cells between the start and finish cells, each track further comprising indicia that permits the track to be associated with one of a plurality of virtual game pieces, each game piece comprising indicia that permits the game piece to be associated with one of the plurality of tracks; b) providing a virtual movement selector for determining the number of cells a game piece is to be moved along the track associated with the game piece; c) determining an order of play such that the at least one first player plays first; d) activating the movement selector to determine a first number of cells the at least one player is to move along the track associated with the player's game piece; e) moving the game piece of the at least one player from the start cell in a direction along the track the number of cells indicated by the movement selector; f) repeating steps d) through e) to move at least two other game pieces in turn; g) repeating steps d) through f) until at least a first and second game piece have reached the finish cell; h) requiring the at least one player to select, before step c) or d), the game piece that the at least one player believes will reach the finish cell first, and optionally select the game piece that the at least one player believes will reach the finish cell second, and optionally select the game piece that the at least one player believes will reach the finish cell third.
The game may be made available to a global market, increasing the number of system users and the potential for entertainment. In additional preferred embodiments, a user may access the game via a wide area network or by some other remote means. The electronic board game may include at least one user computer coupled to at least one server computer on a communications network, the server computer storing data accessible to the at least one user computer and software to provide requested content to the user computer.
The electronic board game can include a virtual deck of cards, at least some of which include indicia relating to a number of cells to move. Each of the tracks can include at least one cell having indicia instructing a player to select a card from the deck and follow the instructions on the card. The instructions may be to move a specific number of spaces, to answer a question, or the like. The virtual deck may be a deck of standard playing cards, with each of the cards assigned a value, wherein the assigned value is the number of cells a player selecting the card is to move the player's game piece.
In another embodiment the virtual movement selector may be virtual dice, wherein standard poker hands are associated with a value, the value corresponding to the number of cells a game piece is to move, wherein the outcome of the roll of the dice is read in accordance with standard poker hands to determine the number of cells to move.
The objects of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art when the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of the phase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
In general a board game in accordance with the present invention is provided in which players of the board game participate in a game of chance, wherein the players take turns moving an individually designated game piece along a series of cells that form a track or path on a game board, each move corresponding to the outcome of an event. The game piece may include a number or other unique identifier.
In one embodiment, the object of the game is to be the player to first move his or her game piece along a series of cells of the track from a starting cell and reach a finish cell. The player to first reach the finish cell with his or her game piece is deemed the first place winner. As the game progresses, each player takes a turn in rolling the dice to determine how many cells to advance his or her game piece. In one example, if three or more players are participating, the second and third player to reach the finish cell may also be deemed second and third place winners, respectively, and the game ceases after the third player reached the finish cell (or if there are only three players, the game can be deemed over when the second player reaches the finish cell). Prizes may be awarded to any or all of the winners.
Now referring to
As shown in
The game pieces 200 may take any shape or form that is suitable to fit the theme of the game and move along cells on the track. For example, the game piece may be in the shape of an animal such as a horse or the like, a transportation vehicle such as a car, a boat or the like. For example the game pieces 200 in
The board game further includes one or more movement selectors 300 such as a die or dice, spinner, cards, random number generator, etc. The game board 100 may further include a designated area in which to place the movement selector. As shown in
The board game may optionally further include a set of cards 400 such as a deck of playing cards, a set of cards having questions, instructions, directions or the like. The game board 100 may further include a designated area 135 in which to place the set of cards as well as another designated area for used or discarded cards.
The board game may further include a set of instructions. The board game may further include a portable carrying case that is sized and shaped to hold the game board, the game pieces, the movement selector, the set of cards, and any other components of the game.
The order of play may be determined in a variety of ways. One way includes, but it not limited to, determining the first to play as the player whom scores the highest number from a roll of the dice, spin of the spinner, flip of a coin, a pick of a card, etc. Play may then proceed clockwise or counterclockwise.
Using dice as an exemplary movement selector 300, to play the game, each player takes turns moving his or her individually designated game piece according to the result of his or her roll of the dice. In this embodiment, five die are used, and the number of cells over which the game piece will move during one turn depends on the result of a roll of the five die. As shown in Table I, the dice may be interpreted according to poker hands, as will be understood to one skilled in the art. For example, if a player rolls the dice and the result is one pair of the same face up numbers, the player advances the game piece 200 one cell.
If the player's roll of the dice does not result in any of the above combinations, the player does not advance his or her game piece 200. It is contemplated that a penalty of moving the game piece 200 backwards one or more cells 112 may be employed to increase the difficulty of the game.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, more or fewer die may be employed while still providing for the possible combinations in Table I. Likewise, the number of cells to advance may be modified.
As shown in
Also depicted in
In another embodiment, multiple different games may be concurrently played in addition to the game described above (“the first copending game”). A second copending game is contemplated wherein the second copending game is dependent upon the outcome of the first copending game. The player to correctly guess the outcome of the first copending game by selecting which players will be the first, second and/or third place winners in the first copending game is deemed the winner. Before the first copending game begins, each player may choose at least one designated numbered game piece he or she believes will be the first and second and/or third place winners of the first copending game. If the player, by chance, chooses one or more of the winning game piece(s), the player is deemed the winner of the second copending game. A prize may be awarded to the winning player(s). If there is no winner, the prize may be held over to the next game. Players may place wagers on game pieces in the same manner as in horse racing, e.g., win, place and show bets may be made so that, for example, a player may “win” by placing a “show” wager if the predicted winner places first, second or third.
In one embodiment, the game board may further include at least one designated area identified as the “Exacta” box 160, and may be used when two or more players participate. After each player has been designated a numbered game piece, and prior to the start of the first copending game, each player picks and identifies/records in the “Exacta” box two numbers corresponding to the designated numbered game pieces in play in the first copending game. If, at the end of the first copending game, one of the player's prior selected number picks correspond to the game pieces that finished first and second, that player will be deemed the winner of the second copending game, and awarded a prize. If none of the players selected the two numbers corresponding to the winners, the prize carries over through to the next game.
It is contemplated that to win the second copending game the player may also be required to pre-select the finishing order of the designated game pieces. It is also contemplated that the player may select more than two numbers, such as three numbers, and to win, the three numbers must correspond to the game pieces that finished first, second and third.
In another embodiment, the game may be played electronically and/or using the World Wide Web. In this embodiment, electronic versions of the game board and the components disclosed above may be programmed into a computer program according to routine techniques well known to those having skill in the art. A non-transient, computer readable, storage medium may contain a program, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform actions which provide the game described above electronically. Multiple players may participate in one or more ongoing games according to the disclosed embodiments by connecting to the World Wide Web.
It is contemplated that several players can play the game simultaneously. In another embodiment players may elect to participate only in one of the copending games.
Preferred embodiments of the instant invention operate on a network, such as, for example, the Internet, or another type of remote access system, such as a kiosk-based terminal, a telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pulse code system, web TV, or any other device or method that communicates alpha numeric data through a server.
Preferred embodiments of the instant invention operate in accordance with a plurality of networked computers, such as, for example, a user computer and a server computer which are coupled together on a communications network, such as, for example, the Internet or a wide area network.
In some preferred embodiments, network communication hardware 10 includes a plurality of either servers 12, user computers 14, or any combination thereof. Server 12 incorporates a memory device from which game information and other relevant data is accessible to user computer 14. Preferably, hardware 10 includes a plurality of servers 12 that are operatively connected to network 17. Two such servers 12 are shown in 5. It will be understood that network systems in accordance with various embodiments will include more than two servers 12.
Server computer 12 comprises any suitable network-connectable device capable of providing content (data representing text, hypertext, photographs, graphics, video and/or audio) for communication over network 17. In preferred embodiments, server computer 12 includes a programmable processor capable of operating in accordance with programs stored on one or more of computer readable media 24 (for example, but not limited to, floppy disks, hard disks, random access memory RAM, CD-ROM, ZIP disks), to provide content for communication to a connected user computer 14. Server computer 12 may be, for example, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a mainframe computer, network computer, portable computer, personal digital assistant (such as, a 3Com Palm Pilot), cellular phone or the like. The server computer 12 may include one or more internal data storage devices, e.g. a hard drive (not shown), for storing content for communication to a user computer 14. Alternatively, or in addition, server computer 12 is coupled to an external data storage device, computer or other means, generally represented at 26, from which server computer 12 obtains information for communication to user computer 14. In one embodiment, external device 26 comprises a further network device coupled to network 17. Server computer 12 is controlled by suitable software to provide the requested content information to the requesting user computer 14, provided that various criteria are met.
In a preferred WAN environment, such as the Internet, server computer 12 is controlled by software adapted to generate a response to a valid request for content information by transmitting or downloading data in the form of one or more HTML files to a requesting user computer 14. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this process involves communication through routers and other network components in addition to suitable servers, as is dictated by the particular network environment.
User computer 14 comprises any suitable network-adapted device capable of communicating with other devices in the network system according to an established protocol. In preferred embodiments, user computer 14 comprises a programmable processor capable of operating in accordance with programs stored on one or more computer readable media 18 (for example, but not limited to floppy disk, hard disk, computer network, random access memory (RAM), CD Rom, ZIP disks, or the like). User computer 14 also has a display device 20 for providing a user-perceivable display (for example, but not limited to visual displays, such as cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, light-emitting-diode (LED) or liquid-crystal-diode (LCD) displays, plasma displays or the like, audio displays or tactile displays), and a user input device 22 (for example, but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touch pad, microphone, or the like). In one preferred embodiment, user computer 14 comprises a personal computer system having a CRT display, a keyboard and a mouse user-input device.
The user computer 14 is controlled by suitable software, including network communication and browser software to allow a user to request, receive and display information (or content) from or through a provider computer 12 on the network system 10. The user computers 14 are any means capable of communicating with the server computers 12, including, but not limited, to personal computers, PDAs, email-enabled cell phones and ATM-type terminals. User computers 14 access server computers 12 via network 17 or through some other remote access, such as, for example, by telephone lines.
In one embodiment, one or more players who desire to participate in a particular game establish a connection on a wide area computer network between a user computer 14 (see
Once a player has established a connection with server 12 the player may access an initial, or home, page. To participate in a game, the user may register or sign-up through an accessible sign-up page via a link from the home page, as will be described below. Once a user has accessed the sign-up page, the user is able to enter pertinent information, such as, for example, name, address, date of birth, and the method of payment (in a pay-to-play embodiment). Address and date of birth information may be used in combination for user confirmation. The inputted information is conveyed to and verified by server 12, such as, for example, the credit information or account information. If the information is accepted, server 12 allows the user to access a gaming page in step 24 via an access button, such as a “play” button.
Once connected to the gaming page, the user may enter selections to participate in a desired game. The “selection” is data, in the form of numbers, alphabet characters, mouse clicks, or other indicia, being representative of the user's choices for the game.
When the user is satisfied with his selections, the user may be requested to select a confirmation element on the gaming page via an access button. The gaming server then accesses the confirmation page. Once the user has accessed the confirmation page, the user's selections are displayed for the user. The display of the selections provides confirmation to the user that the correct selections have been recorded.
After the user's selections have been confirmed, the user may access another play via a repeat play utility, such as a “play Another Game” feature. If the user selects the “Play Another Game” option and chooses to play, the server returns the user to the general gaming page. If instead, the user chooses to terminate play, the user may exit the gaming web site.
In a further embodiment a user of the system may connect to the system by various means, some of which are telephone, personal visit, computer link and mobile communication. Access to the system may occur through an Internet web site, from which a determination may be made whether the user has an existing account. If the user has an existing account, the account may be accessed. If not, the user may be requested to set up an account, the information for which may be entered into the system database, in compliance with the description below. After entering information into the database, the established account may be accessed. The user may then be presented with a request to select the game to be played, e.g., a horse racing game, car racing game, dog racing game, etc. In one embodiment, the system may provide a request to the user to make one or more selection(s) for the co-pending game, i.e., to choose the winner and/or top finishers as described above. After the user and other users of the system have made their selections, the game can be played.
The results, or outcome, of the game is determined as discussed above. User selections for the co-pending game are evaluated by comparison to the outcome to determine whether the user is a winner of a copending game. If a user is determined to be a winner of the race game and/or the copending game, the account of the user may be updated, e.g., in a pay-to-play game, the user's account may be credited, and the information may be entered into a database. In an embodiment wherein prizes may be awarded to winners, such may be awarded in accordance with known techniques.
In one embodiment, registration is preferably completed before a user may participate in a game. Registration can be implemented in accordance with methods known to those skilled in the art by entry of information either manually or through a computer terminal, such as may be presented over the Internet or at a kiosk. Each potential user may be asked to register when entering the system by being presented with a screen which requests entry of information in windows of a dialog box, e.g., email name and password. For example, a new user may be required to open an account by clicking on a “new account” button in a dialog box, entering appropriate information including payment methods and information such as bank or credit card information. In appropriate circumstances, such as at a kiosk or public computer, a reader may be provided so that payment information may be entered by inserting a bank card or credit card in the reader. Upon completing the registration information, the user may be validated by the system and presented with game and selection options.
Fees to play the game may be transferred after selections are made. Winnings may be credited at the conclusion of the game and copending game via the Internet, or other transmission means, to existing bank, credit or betting accounts.
As indicated above, some preferred embodiments utilize a wide area network, such as, the Internet, for transmission and receipt of information for the game. In these preferred embodiments a game server may transmit information to the users in the form of a web site. A user may access an initial, or home, page upon entry into the game system. The home page may be an introductory page that comprises textual information and hyperlinks for access to subsequent screens in the game system. In some preferred embodiments, the home page is designed to direct a player to a foreign language home page and following pages, if desired, in which the information is presented in a specific language selected by the player.
The textual information may comprises any type of information that the game service provider chooses. In one embodiment, the textual information comprises game information and rules and regulations, or, in alternate embodiments, a link that connects the user to access a rules and regulatory information page. Game information may include prize information, types of games and previous winners.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/228,005, filed Jul. 23, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61228005 | Jul 2009 | US |
