Patent Application
20170312643
The present patent document relates to character based games and methods of play. In preferred embodiments, the character based games include hydrophobic game boards that use characters formed from water or other liquids with surrounded or suspended character features.
Games with hydrophobic properties are known in the art. However, those games do not take advantage of all of the properties of the water droplet within the game. Consequently, the games do not take advantage of a lot of very desirable play patterns. To this end, more advanced types of hydrophobic games and other character based games are desirable.
In view of the foregoing, an object according to one aspect of the present patent document is to provide character based games and methods of play. In particular, the character based games involve manipulating beads of water with imbedded character features around a playset. Preferably the methods and apparatuses address, or at least ameliorate one or more of the problems described above. To this end, a method of play is provided. In one embodiment the method of play comprises: adding a character feature to water; placing the water including the character feature on a hydrophobic play surface such that the water forms a bead surrounding the character feature; and manipulating the hydrophobic play surface to cause the bead of water including the character feature to move to different locations on the play surface.
In preferred embodiments, the character feature includes a facial feature. The facial feature may be any facial feature including eyes, noses, ears, mouths or any other facial feature. In preferred embodiments, googly eyes are used.
In addition to a character feature, the water may also be colored with a coloring agent such as food coloring or some other coloring agent. In yet other embodiments, glitter or confetti may be added.
In preferred embodiments, the bead of water including at least one character feature is manipulated around a playset. In operation, a sound may be played when the bead of water passes over a specific location on the play surface. In some embodiments, the play surface includes electronic switches that can detect the passage of the bead of water over a specific portion of the play surface and cause the sound to play. In embodiments that play sound, different sounds may be played when the bead of water passes over different locations on the play surface.
Lots of different themes are available for the playsets and character features. As just a few examples, pirates, astronauts, monsters and pets may all support a theme. In some embodiments, the play surface imitates an interior of a building. In some embodiments, the play surface is part of a maze. In yet other embodiments, the play surface is part of a chain reaction apparatus.
In another embodiment, another method of play is provided. The method of play comprises: adding a character feature to a container; adding water to the container; coloring the water in the container; pouring the contents of the container onto a hydrophobic surface to form a bead of water including a character feature; and manipulating the play surface to cause the bead of water including the character feature to move to different locations on the play surface.
In some embodiments, the container is sealable and allows transport of the bead of water and character feature. In preferred embodiments, the container is a small container.
In another embodiment, another method of play is provided. The method of play comprises: adding a character feature to a small amount of a liquid; placing the liquid including the character feature onto a play surface designed to repel the liquid such that a bead of liquid surrounding the character feature is formed; and manipulating the play surface to cause the bead of liquid including the character feature to move to different locations on the play surface. In preferred embodiments, the liquid is water and the play surface is hydrophobic.
As described more fully below, the character based games and methods of play may include further aspects, objects, desirable features, and advantages. The apparatus and methods disclosed herein will be better understood from the detailed description and drawings that follow in which various embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the claimed invention.
The present patent document relates to character based games and in particular, character based games with a hydrophobic play surface. When water comes in contact with a hydrophobic surface, it beads up into a spheroidal shape in order to minimize surface contact with the hydrophobic surface. The hydrophobic surface allows the water to “bead-up” creating a round, blob-like shape. To this end, the droplets of water are easily manipulated around the play surface as they try and retain their spherical shape and repel the hydrophobic play surface.
As may be seen in
In embodiments described herein, the bead of water or droplet of water 12 is the main portion of the water-pet 10. The bead of water 12 surrounds the character feature 14 on all sides and the character feature 14 simply rests on top of or is located within the bead of water 12 as it slides around the hydrophobic play surface. This is not the same as wetting the surface of an object and placing the object on a hydrophobic surface. In such examples, the water is simply used as a lubricant for the object rather than the bead of water 12 being the main component. In embodiments described herein, enough water is used to make the bead of water 12 the main portion of the water-pet 10. The fact that when a smaller character feature 14 is added to a larger bead of water 12 the character feature 14 will remain with the bead of water 12 even when the bead of water 12 is quickly manipulated around a playset is an unexpected result.
The character feature 14 may be any item that provides the droplet of water 12 with some type of character or personality. In some embodiments, the character feature 14 may be an item that gives the droplet 12 a human character. In some embodiments, the character feature 14 may be an item that gives the droplet 12 a pet character such as a dog, cat, or other animal. In yet other embodiments, the character feature 14 may be an item that gives the droplet 12 a mythical character such as a goblin, dragon or warlock, to name a few. In yet other embodiments, the water-pet 10 may take on other character types. In some embodiments, more than one character feature 14 may be include in a single bead of water 12.
In preferred embodiments, the character feature 14 is or includes a facial feature 15. A facial feature 15 is any portion of the character feature 14 that is associated with a face such as eyes, nose, mouth, ears, face, mustache, beard, tongue or any other facial feature. Using the character feature of the astronaut 24 shown in
In preferred embodiments, the character features 14 are small such that they can be contained within the droplet of water 12. In many embodiments, the character feature 14 may remain on the surface of the droplet of water 12 due to the surface tension of the droplet. The character feature 14 may remain on top of the water bead 12 even when the water bead 12 moves across the surface of the playset. In other embodiments, the character feature 14 may just be contained within the droplet of water 12 as it travels around the playing surface.
The playset 13 may be any type of playset with a hydrophobic surface 16. The user can manipulate the playset 13, changing its orientation, such that gravity rolls or slides the bead of water 12 including a character feature 14 around the playset 13. In some embodiments, the playset 13 may include movable gates to control the movement of the water-pet 10. The user may manipulate the gateways to redirect the water-pet 10 as it travels.
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the character aspects of the water-pet 10 are further enhanced with an electronically interactive playset 13 that gives the water-pet 10 a voice or makes other noises depending on where the water-pet 10 is located. The playset 13 may also interactively produce music and sound effects. In preferred embodiments, the electronics may include character development programing to create various different play patterns including allowing the user to interact in a story based on how the user chooses to manipulate the water-pet 10 within the playset. In some embodiments, the playset's electronic interactivity may take the form of a game that challenges the user to move the bead of water 12 including a character feature 14 around the playset 13 to gain points or accomplish goals.
In preferred embodiments, the playset 13 is in a form that can be manipulated by the user thereby changing its orientation such that gravity rolls or slides the water-pet 10 around the playset 10 to trigger sensors/switches. The sensor/switches may be formed by two electronic sensor points embedded in the surface of the hydroponic surface 16 such that the water completes the circuit when placed over both sensor points.
As may be seen in
In various different embodiments, the playsets may include different modes of play like chase mode, explore mode or any other type of mode. Modes may be selected manually, automatically, or may turn on based on some sequence of events. For example, modes may start at a random time or they may start after a routine is played and successfully completed. In addition, a mode change may be triggered by missing or failing to complete a task or arriving at a wrong location. In some embodiments, a new mode may begin within a fixed amount of time after the unit is woken up or the water-pet 10 enters the playset 13. For each mode, a specific background music or soundtrack may be played to indicate the mode. In addition, different sounds than normal may be associated with each sensor to indicate that a particular mode sequence is still occurring.
In preferred embodiments, the playset 13 may include a chase mode. When the chase sequence game mode is activated, different areas or rooms of the playset 13 may have LED lights that illuminate in different sequences. The user would be required to manipulate the water-pet 10 to a particular illuminated location to trigger the sensor in an allotted amount of time and then continue onto another 1-3 locations to receive an audio payoff and cumulative points in the game. In preferred embodiments, the chase sequence the user is required to complete may be varied such that the same sequence is not required each time.
In preferred embodiments, rewards and/or penalties may be associated with each step of a chase sequence and/or the overall sequence. For example, if the playset is manipulated and the water-pet 10 arrives at the final destination under a certain allotted time, the user may receive a reward. Rewards may include a change in mode, points, increase in mood or any other trackable reward. In contrast, not arriving at a specific destination in time or arriving at a wrong location may cause the user to be penalized. Penalties may include wrong move sounds, blinking lights or all lights blinking, points loss, mood loss, change in mood, or any other type of trackable penalty.
In some embodiments, the playset and accompanying electronics may allow players to unlock secret novelty audio tracks by triggering the sensors in specific sequenced combinations. As just one example, the character can audibly transform into another character at any time during play.
In some embodiments, the playset may include a vibrator that is in communication with the hydrophobic surface of the playset. In operation, the vibrator is activated when the bead of water character is located above the vibrator causing the bead of water to bounce around. In other embodiments, other actions may activate the vibrator.
The hydrophobic quality of the playset 13, surface of the playset 16, or container 30 may be accomplished by applying a texture or chemical coating. Depending on the type of playset 13, one or more surfaces may be made hydrophobic. In some embodiments, both the surface 16 and the maze walls 104 are made hydrophobic. In preferred embodiments, any surface that will come in contact with the water-pet 10 are made hydrophobic.
In preferred embodiments, the playsets include unlock opportunities. With unlock opportunities, kids can get special content, go online to learn about where the hidden content is, how to unlock it, pay to unlock it, or access top-secret files.
As part of the experience, some playsets 13 may include mode and/or character buttons 48. In operation, pressing one of the character buttons may change the character associated with the current game. To this end, users may be able to select different character profiles by pressing a character button. Different character profiles may elicit different responses as the users interact with the playset 13.
In addition to selecting different character profiles for any particular session, a playset 13 may also include a mode button 48 that allows users to change the mode of play. Changing the mode of play may change the play patterns of the playset 13. For example, different modes may be chase mode, explore mode, dance mode or any other number of modes. Each mode may encourage and/or reward a user for interacting with the playset in a different manner. Mode buttons 48 allow a user to manually select a mode.
Playsets 13 may also include a point counter 46. A point counter 46 may be implemented using led lights or another type of display. Point counters 46 may tally or accumulate points based on a user's particular performance during play. For example, the point counter 46 may accumulate points for character health, character power, levels, character achievement, tasks accomplished or any number of other identified criteria.
In order to provide the various different experiences to the user, the playset 13 may have a plurality of switches, sensors, vibrators, speakers or lights 44 embedded in the surface 16 of the board. The switches and/or sensors 44 may be able to detect the position of the water-pet 10 and cause an appropriate electronic response. In some embodiments, one or more sound libraries may be included as part of the electronics. To this end, each sensor 44 may be associated with a sound library and when the sensor 44 is activated, may cause one or more sounds from the sound library to be played. The sound may be a specific sound or may be randomly selected from the library. Vibrators, speakers and lights may be activated to provide feedback to the user.
In some embodiments, different levels on the happiness meter 60 will require different types of activity to level up. For example, leveling up in levels 1 and 2 may be based on time play while leveling up at higher levels may require the user to engage and complete specific tasks or activities with the playset 13. In a similar manner, leveling down on the happiness meter 60 may occur if the use does not play for too long a period of time or fails to complete a required task.
In some embodiments, the playsets 13 and accompanying electronics may include additional levels or modes not immediately recognizable from the exterior of the playset. These “hidden” levels or “hidden” modes may be achieved by securing online unlocks and tapping into a social community. The online community may include leader boards and other rankings to help encourage extended play.
In some embodiments, the chase sequences or tasks the user needs to complete may not be indicated by the game. For example, in some embodiments of chase mode, the playset 13 may not indicate to the user which area to try and move to next. To this end, the sequence may be learned by the user through trial and error or the instructions may be hidden online or through other media. Instructions or recipes may be planted within brand websites, hidden in packaging, released on specific release day events, planted within blogger sites, or even given away during radio or television commercials.
Although primarily explained above with respect to a bead of water on a hydrophobic surface, in alternative embodiments the bead of water is replaced by a rolling object such as a ball with character features. In such embodiments, the playsets may still have some or all of the features described above including the ability to thematically and electronically interact with the ball character such that the character has the effect of producing speech and sound effects. In a similar manner to the water droplet, the embodiments using a rolling ball character may use photo sensors or electrical contacts to progress the character's personality or life points. Lights and/or sounds may be played depending on the location and manipulation of the ball character within the playset. The playset may have moveable gates to control access of the ball to various different locations. The playset can preferably be manipulated by a user changing its orientation such that gravity rolls or slides the ball character around the playset. The electronic game designed to challenge the user to move the ball character around the playset to acquire points or accomplish goals.
Although the embodiments have been described with reference to preferred configurations and specific examples, it will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and adaptations of the character games and methods of play described herein are possible without departure from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as claimed hereinafter. Thus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the embodiments as claimed below.
