WO2001026759A1

WO2001026759A1 - Image collection game

Info

Publication number: WO2001026759A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/003946
Authority: WO
Inventors: Camilla Bradman; Grant Geary
Original assignee: Camilla Bradman; Grant Geary
Priority date: 1999-10-13
Filing date: 2000-10-13
Publication date: 2001-04-19
Also published as: AU7805600A

Abstract

There is described an image collection game wherein participants compete to collect photographic images of a predetermined set of objects or activities. Apparatus for playing the game is described wherein the subject matter to be photographed is presented to the participants by the image recording apparatus.

Description

Image collection game.

The present invention relates to activity games, and is particularly concerned with a game or exercise in which a plurality of images are collected. The game may be played competitively between two or more individuals or teams, or may be played by a single individual or team either as an amusing pastime, or in an "against the clock" mode .

Activity games such as "scavenger hunts" are well-known, in which individuals or teams are set the task of collecting a plurality of objects within a certain time, and possibly also limited to a certain locality. Each of the objects may be assigned a score, relating to the difficulty perceived in obtaining the object within the given time. The winner is the team or individual who returns from the hunt with all of the objects collected in the shortest possible time, or if no team is successful in collecting all of the required objects then the winner is the team whose objects have the highest total score. Such claims have been known to cause inconvenience and possible loss to non-participants, for example when teams remove objects from their usual places for the purpose of the game, and fail to return them. In cases where, for example, one of the objects to be collected is a fruit or leaf, damage to plants or trees may result. The players are put to the inconveniences of carrying the collected objects during the game, and also of disposing of, or returning, the collected objects at the end of the game.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an activity game in which the excitement and competition of a "scavenger hunt" can be obtained, without inconvenience to players, and avoiding the risk of damage, injury or loss to non-participants.

A second objective is to provide an amusing and educational pastime in which a single player is set a task of collecting images of predefined subjects. A further objective is to provide apparatus for playing the game, comprising image capture means and subject identification means.

It is also an objective of the invention to provide an image capture apparatus suitable for use in playing the game, and adapted to display subject identification data.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a set of apparatus for two teams or individuals to play the game;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a camera for playing the game;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a film intended for use with the camera of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second camera for use in playing the game;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third camera for use in playing the game;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fourth camera for use in playing the game;

Figure 7 shows a first embodiment of an instruction sheet for playing the game;

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the instruction sheet;

Figure 9 shows an embodiment wherein the instruction sheet is embodied as a garment;

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an electronic image capture device or digital camera for use in the game; Figure 11 illustrates the file structure of a memory device for use with the image capture device of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram similar to Figure 10, showing an electronic image capture device comprising plural drives for removable memory devices;

Figure 13 illustrates an alternative file structure for a memory device; and

Figure 14 illustrates a system for transferring game- playing instructions from a memory device to a digital camera.

Referring now to Figure 1 , there is shown a box 1 containing first and second conventional single-use cameras 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the cameras record images on conventional 35mm film.

The box further contains a number of cards, divided into two packs 4 and 5, each pack of cards being intended for use by one team or player. Each card carries a description of a scene, an image, an object or an activity whose image must be recorded.

A lid 6 is provided to close the box 1.

In order to play the game, each team is given a camera and an equal number of cards from one of the packs 4 and 5.

Selection of the cards from the respective team's set of cards may be made at random, by players selecting the cards from the pack without first looking at the subjects on the cards. Alternatively, players from the opposing team may select cards for each team, with or without looking at the subjects on the cards prior to selection. Alternatively, each team may be given all of the cards in a pack.

Each card in the pack may carry one or more subjects whose images are to be recorded. In the simplest form of the game, each card carries a single subject. In alternative forms, each card may carry two or more subjects, and the team's objective may be to capture an image of one or all of the subjects on each card. Each pack may also include one or more blank cards, on which members of the opposing team can write descriptions of subjects whose images are to be captured.

The cards may also carry indications of a points score corresponding to each subject.

Examples of subjects which might appear on the cards are as follows: a dog; yesterday ' s newspaper; a bus driver; a lady in boots; a wig; someone in fancy dress; ballroom dancing in a take-out restaurant; a couple kissing; your entire team in a phone box; a kissogram; a man in a suit and no shoes; a Scotsman in a kilt; or a bus with an even number.

The subjects to be captured may be tailored to the location or occasion where the game is to be played. For example, the subject matter designations for use during a visit to a museum, or to the countryside may differ from the designations intended for use at a social occasion such as a "stag" or "hen" night, or an office party.

A finishing time may then be set, for example at the end of the evening, by which time each team must have recorded with the camera an image corresponding to the subject on each of the cards allotted to that team.

The teams then set off to search for the subjects to be photographed, and photograph the required event, object or person as the opportunity arises. At the finishing time, the teams meet at an agreed location. The teams then exchange cameras, and each team is made responsible for developing the film in the other team's camera. This will prevent any additional images being recorded after the agreed finishing time.

The players agree a time and place to meet, each team bringing the photographs from the other team's camera, to compare their respective sets of recorded images, apportion scores and determine the result of the game.

If it is inconvenient for the teams to meet at the end of the evening, the teams may agree to meet on a subsequent day to compare their respective images. While it may then be possible for teams to add images to their collection after the agreed finishing time, this may be prevented if the cameras are arranged to record the time and date of each exposure on the photograph and/or negative.

The image capture apparatus is preferably a conventional film camera, but may be an "instant picture" camera such as a "Polaroid" (registered trademark) camera. If an

"instant picture" camera is used, there is the advantage that delay during processing of the film is avoided. The images will therefore be available for viewing at the finishing time of the game, and the result can be decided there and then.

As an alternative to, or in addition to, providing each team with subject identification means in the form of a series of cards each bearing a single image subject, the teams may alternatively be provided with an album having spaces for fixing the finished images or photographs, with legends associated with the spaces to determine the image subjects. While this may have the disadvantage of being bulky and cumbersome, it will provide a more permanent record of the evening. If both the cards and the album are provided, the album need not accompany the player or players during the game.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown schematically a single-use camera adapted for playing the game. The camera comprises a camera body 7, a lens 8, a viewfinder 9 and an operating button 10, and is intended to be used with the film 11 shown in Figure 3. The film may be preloaded into the camera, and the camera body 7 sealed. After exposure of the film, the entire camera is delivered to the processor, who will open the camera body, remove the film, and optionally replace the film with a new film so that the camera can be re-used.

The back of the camera body 7 is provided with a window 12 through which the rear surface of the film 11 is visible. On the rear surface of the film 11, at locations visible through the window 12 when the film is positioned for taking a photograph, subjects for the images to be recorded are indicated. The indication may be by means of a verbal description of the required scene, or by means of a graphic representation or icon.

The subjects may be presented individually, with only one subject being visible at a time. In this embodiment, when the film is wound to the position for taking the first photograph, using the winding wheel 13, then indicia will appear in the window 12 to indicate the required subject of the first photograph. When the first photograph is taken, the user will wind the film on using the winding wheel 13, and the subject for the second photograph will appear in the window 12.

Alternatively, all of the required subjects may be printed as a list at each location on the film, so that the entire list is visible at each photographing opportunity. The camera body 7 may be provided with a markable field F adjacent to the window 12, on which a mark such as a tick may be made when the image corresponding to the adjacent subject in the list has been captured.

Using the camera and film of Figures 2 and 3 may place a further constraint on the teams, since it may require them to capture the images in a predetermined order, and thus make the game more difficult.

Figure 4 illustrates a simplified camera for use in playing the game, in which the instructions relating to how the game is played are written on the camera body in an instruction panel 20, and a list of subjects to be photographed is carried on the body of the camera in a subject designations panel 21. The other components of the camera seven correspond to those previously described, and have been given like reference numerals.

Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the camera for use in the game, including an instruction panel 20 bearing instructions as to how the game should be played, and including a pack of subject designation sheets 22 releaseably attached to a surface of the camera body. The designation sheets 22 may be in the form of "Post-it" (registered trademark) notes, pre-printed with one or more subject on each sheet.

Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the camera, in which the subject-matter designations are carried on a roll 23 of sheet material such as paper held within the camera body, the roll 23 having a gripping tab 24 at its end to enable the roll to be drawn out of the camera body through an exit slot 25 to reveal sequentially the subjects to be photographed. The roll 23 may be provided with transverse perforations 26 to enable each subject to be separated from the roll 26 when the photograph has been taken.

The cameras shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 carry the subject-matter designating means captive of the camera body, and thus the player or team of players is unlikely to mislay the subject-matter cards.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative manner of presenting the instructions for the teams. Whereas in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 each team receives a pack of separate cards, Figure 7 shows a single instruction sheet 30, divided into two halves 31 and 32 by a central line of perforations 33. The perforations 33 allow the sheet 30 to be separated into its two halves, so that each team may take half of the instruction sheet when playing the game.

Each half 31 and 32 includes a first field 34 wherein are printed the instructions as to how the game is played. Each half 31 and 32 further includes a number of subject fields 35 on each of which is printed a subject to be photographed. In the embodiment shown, additional perforations 36 are provided between adjacent subject fields, so that the subject fields 35 may be separated by tearing along the perforations 36. The subjects identified in the subject fields 35 of each half 31 and

32 may correspond, for example subject Al may be the same as subject Bl, and so on. Alternatively, each subject field 35 may carry a unique subject identifier. In a yet further alternative, some of the subject fields in each half 31 or 32 may be blank, and may comprise writable fields on which each team may suggest subjects for the other team to photograph.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the instruction sheet, showing a separate instruction sheets 40 for each of two playing teams. The sheets 40 of Figure 8 each substantially correspond to one half of the sheet 30 shown in Figure 7. Each instruction sheet 40 comprises a first field 44 containing instructions on how to play the game, and a plurality of subject fields 45 which may each carry one or more subject to be photographed. To facilitate game play, a lanyard 46 is threaded through a perforation 47 in the instruction sheet, so that a designated member of the playing team may easily retain control of the instruction sheet by placing the lanyard 46 round his or her for wrist or neck.

Figure 9 shows a further alternative means for preventing loss of the game instructions. In this embodiment, the game instructions are printed onto a garment such as a T- shirt 50. The T-shirt 50 comprises a first field 51 bearing the game rules, and subject fields 52 carrying subject to be photographed. The T-shirt may optionally be provided with check boxes 53 which may be marked to show that a corresponding subject has been successfully photographed. It is to be understood that the garment may be a garment other than a T-shirt 50, and that the instructions and subject fields may be printed on an alternative garment such as a baseball cap. Each team designates a team member to wear the T shirt or cap for the duration of the game. As a further alternative, an electronic image capture apparatus such as a video camera or a digital still camera may be used. If the apparatus has a facility for immediately viewing the recorded images, then the results of the game can be decided at the finishing time by comparing the recorded images.

Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic image capture device 50, which may be an electronic still camera or a video camera. The device comprises an objective lens 51, an image capture element 52, a processor 53 and a memory 54. A viewfinder display 55 is provided for the user, and control inputs 56 are operable by the user to record and display images, adjust focus, etc ..

The device is also provided with a removable memory device 57, which may be a conventional floppy disk, or may be a solid-state ROM, a data card or an optical memory card. A suitable input device 58 to interface with the removable memory device 57, such as a floppy disk drive, or a port connectable to a solid-state ROM is provided in the electronic image capture device 50.

The processor 53 is programmed to receive output signals from the image capture element 52. The processor 53 controls the viewfinder display to display the object whose image is to be captured, and also stores simultaneously the output signals of image capture element 52 in memory 54 under the control of the user, who applies control signals to the processor 53 using the control inputs 56. The control inputs 56 are conventionally control buttons or switches located on the casing of the device.

The removable memory 57 stores data relating to the subjects of the images to be captured, and may also store control programs executable by the processor 53. When memory 57 is inserted into the input device 58, the processor 53 reads this data and supplies to the viewfinder display 55 a control output so that the subject of the required image appears as a caption in the viewfinder display. The processor 53 may be arranged to provide a list of two or more of the subjects recorded on the memory 57, and control inputs 56 may be arranged so that the list displayed on the viewfinder display 55 may be scrolled up and down as the user requires. The control inputs 56 may also provide for subjects appearing on the list to be "ticked off" or deleted from the displayed list by the user.

The processor 53 may also be arranged to transfer image data relating to the captured images from the memory 54 to the removable memory 57. The processor 53 may add to the image data a caption or legend indicating the intended subject or the image and optionally the date and time that the image was recorded, for later reference. The image data may be recorded on the removable memory 57 in one of the standard electronic image data formats, so that the images may be downloaded into a personal computer. The captured images may then be printed, transmitted over a network, or stored in a hard drive.

The image capture device illustrated in Figure 10 may be used instead of the conventional photographic film cameras described in relation to Figures 1 to 6, for playing the game as a competitive team event. When each team has captured images corresponding to the required subjects, the images may be printed or otherwise displayed with the members of both teams present, in order to agree scores and determine the result of the game.

In a conventional digital still camera, such as is illustrated in Figure 10, captured images are stored on the removable data card 57, and control inputs from the controls 56 may be used to display the captured images on the display 55. In order to provide an economical game to be played using a conventional digital still camera, they data card 57 may be provided with a pre-recorded set of game playing instructions and/or a list of subjects to be photographed. Figure 11 illustrates the data structure of such a data card 57, including a first data file 60 which includes a list of subjects to be photographed stored in A. file format compatible with the digital still camera. The remaining storage space of the data card 57 is filled by image files corresponding to the images recorded using the digital still camera 50. By recording the list of subjects in the image data format, the conventional controls 56 of the digital still camera 50 may be used to display the subject list on the viewfinder display 55 of the camera.

The data card 57 shown in Figure 11 thus comprises an image data file 60 which, when displayed on the camera viewfinder display 55 shows the list of images to be captured. The image data file 60 may also include a brief synopsis of the game rules. By providing a range of pre-recorded data cards 57, a variety of game-playing situations may be catered for. Each situation will, however, require the players to purchase a new data card 57.

In a further development, illustrated in Figure 12, a digital still camera 50 similar to that shown in Figure 10 is provided with an additional input device 58 to receive a second data card 57a. Like parts of the camera are given like reference numerals, to avoid repetition of their descriptions. In the camera illustrated in Figure 12, the data card 57 is used exclusively to record image data relating to the subjects photographed. However, the second data card 57a may contain program files 63, a list of subjects in image data file format 60, and task data

64 displayable on the viewfinder display 55. The task data 64 may comprise a map with instructions for the player to move to be designated location, or may comprise an image of the object or location for the player to find and photograph.

It is envisaged that, using the camera illustrated in Figure 12, each player or team will load A. blank data card 57 into the input device 58, and will load a prerecorded data card 57a the into the second input device 58a. The controls 56 of the camera may then be used to run a program stored in the program file 63 of the prerecorded data card 57a, and so that the tasks to be completed by the team and the subjects of photographs to be captured by the team are sequentially or selectively displayed on the viewfinder display 55 of the camera 50. In order to avoid players having to purchase new data cards 57a for each game-playing location, the system illustrated in Figure 14 may be used. Figure 14 shows a camera 50 connected to be personal computer 70, the computer 70 having a drive 71 to receive a removable data store 72 such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM. The floppy disk or CD-ROM 72 may be pre-recorded with a plurality of different sets of tasks and sets of subjects to be photographed, and may further include instructions for transferring a particular set of tasks and subjects to an internal memory of the digital camera 50, by means of an input port 73 provided in the camera and a cable 74 to connect an output port of the computer 70 to the camera 50. The tasks and subjects may be specific to a particular location, such as a museum, zoo, park or other tourist attraction, or even a city, and by completing the tasks in a predetermined order the player may be led on a tour of the location, and urged to photograph points or items of interest at various places. For example, the task data may be sequentially presented as a series of maps showing the player's present location and a target location, with a subject to be photographed at each target location. The tour program may display the task data and subject identifiers alternately, so that the player is successively lead to each new location, and then required to photograph an item at that location.

As an alternative to a competitive team game, it is foreseen that a single person or team may make use of the apparatus for educational purposes, or as a simple pastime. In this embodiment of the invention, the apparatus will comprise a single image capture device, together with a list of subject to images must be captured. The list may be in the form of a single printed list, a set of cards, or an album as before. Alternatively, the camera and film of Figures 2 and 3 or the image capture device of Figure 10 or Figure 12 may be provided .

The "single player" variant of the game may be used to enhance a person's enjoyment of an educational visit, for example a visit to a museum or zoo or other attraction. Such a visit may be made more interesting for children if they are provided with a camera and a list of selected exhibits, animals, or other items which they must find and photograph during the visit. The game will not only maintain interest during the visit, but will also provide a record of the visit as a souvenir.

It is envisaged that the museum or other attraction may provide the visitor with an image capture device on entry to the attraction, and may provide a service of developing and printing the film, or printing the recorded images when the visitor leaves.

Either the "single player" or a multiple player version of the game may be used for example to amuse children on a car journey. In yet a further alternative, the game may be extended over the entire duration of a holiday, and played by one or more players . Other venues or occasions for playing either the "single player" or "multiple player" versions of the game will be readily apparent.

In order to make the game more convenient, the or each team or player may be provided with a respective carrying case such as a rucksack or belt bag, to accommodate the image capture apparatus and the subject-matter cards (if provided ) .

In a further variant, the image capture means may be adapted to play the game in a particular environment. Specifically, the camera or other apparatus may be enclosed in a watertight case, to enable the game to be played for example during a SCUBA dive or water ski session, or in an outdoor environment such as a Apaintball@ game area.

In a yet further variant of the game, the game instructions may be in the form of a pre-recorded audio tape, and the game apparatus may provide each team with a portable playback device such as a tape cassette player, a compact disc or minidisc player, or other audio playback device. In an advantageous development, the game instructions may be stored on a data card, and a digital still or video camera may be provided with playback means operable to produce an audio output of the recorded data.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a package containing: at least two image capture devices for recording images ; and a respective subject matter designating means for each image capture device for identifying images to be captured.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of image capture devices, and a respective subject matter designating means associated with each image capture means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each subject matter designating means comprises a plurality of cards, each card having recorded thereon the subject matter of an image.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each subject matter designating means comprises a support having a number of locations to which respective recorded images can be attached, and wherein the support is provided with a respective legend associated with each of said locations .

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the image capture means comprises a camera and a photographic film.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the camera comprises a camera body having a window through which an area of a surface of the photographic film is visible when the film is positioned for taking a photograph, and wherein the photographic film carries subject-identifying indicia on the said area of said surface.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the said area of the photographic film carries indicia identifying a single image subject.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the said area of the photographic film carries indicia identifying a plurality of image subjects.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the camera body includes a markable field adjacent the window.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject-matter designating means comprises a sheet divisible into a plurality of individual subject-matter designating means .

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each subject-matter designating means is further divisible to provide individual carriers each bearing a single subject designation.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the subject-matter designating means comprises attachment means for attaching the subject-matter designating means to a user.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the attachment means comprises a lanyard.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each image capture device has mounted thereto a subject-matter designating means.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the subject-matter designating means comprises a printed area on a housing of the image capture device.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the subject-matter designating means comprises a plurality of sheets each bearing a single subject, releaseably attached to a housing of the image capture device.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the subject-matter designating means is mounted within a housing of the image capture device, and is adapted to be withdrawn from the housing through an exit opening therein.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject-matter designating means comprises a wearable garmen .

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the wherein the garment is a T-shirt.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the T- shirt is provided with a plurality of subject-matter designating areas, and wherein respective markable fields are provided in association with each area.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the image capture device is an electronic image capture device.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the image capture device comprises : a viewfinder display for viewing an image to be captured; removable data storage means for storing data relating to the subjects of images to be captured; and means for indicating a subject of an image to be captured on the viewfinder display.

23. Apparatus according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the image capture device is an electronic still camera.

24. Apparatus according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the image capture device is a video camera.

25. An apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the image capture device comprises first memory means for storing information relating to the subject- matter of images to be captured, and second memory means for storing image data of captured images.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the first or the second memory means is removable from the image capture device.

27. An image capture device, comprising: means for capturing an image; and means for indicating to a user the subject matter of an image to be captured.

28. An image capture device according to claim 27, wherein: the image capture means comprises a camera and a photographic film; the camera comprises a camera body having a window through which an area of a surface of the photographic film is visible when the film is positioned for taking a photograph; and wherein the photographic film carries subject- identifying indicia on the said area of the said surface.

29. An image capture device according to claim 27, wherein: the image capture means comprises an electronic image capture and storage device having a viewfinder display for viewing an image to be captured; and the means for indicating to a user the subject- matter of an image to be captured comprises a data storage means for storing data relating to the subject of an image to be captured on the viewfinder display.

30. An image capture device according to claim 29, wherein the image capture means is a video camera.

31. An image capture device according to claim 29, wherein the image capture device is an electronic still camera.

32. An image capture device according to any of claims 29 to 31, wherein the data storage means is removably mountable to the image capture means .

33. A data carrier for use with an electronic image capture apparatus, carrying displayable data relating to the subject-matter of images to be captured by the image capture apparatus .

34. Apparatus for playing a game, substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings .

35. An image capture device substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2, Figure 4, figure 5, figure 6, figure 10, or Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings .

36. Apparatus for playing a game, substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings .

37. A method of playing a game, substantially as described herein.