AU2003100949A4 - Interactive Card and Boardgame including an online method - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT METHOD OF USING INTER ACTIVE CARDS AND GAMES (BOARD OR ONLINE) The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me INTER ACTIVE ACTION CARDS AND GAMES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improved method of using interactive action cards and games which create entertainment value and educational enhancement for people of all ages In particular, for youngsters learning visual skills and general knowledge relating to Australia through its cultural heritage and tourism assets. The invention, although having a similarity to earlier games pre internet, it is an improved method for board games and action cards because of online capabilities.

Traditional board games primarily focus on being played around a household table or desk by members of the family, whereas, an alternative in this invention allows online participation including the ability to engage with many participants from remote locations worldwide, further adding to the value of the innovation In addition, various features of this invention provide commercial and learning opportunities for a wide range of people from many cultures and not necessarily limited to Australia BACKGROUND ART As children', many of us played board games like Monopoly, Squatter, Trivia Pursuit etc. To play it was usually "roll the dice move your marker, collect a card or land on a square which indicated your fate good or bad including penalties in essence, it was the" something happened to you" variety. These games are straightforward to play and often go for several hours.

Children often like them but sometimes adults can find them tedious unless there is an intent on entertaining the children or they have an interest in the subjects on the game In this invention, the game can be absorbing because it may provide significant tourism information ,be a reminder of past holidays or other family connections, even in having lived in some of the Cities or States or Territories located in this inter- active invention.

In Monopoly for example this is a game which is very anti social because players are gradually eliminated from the game and only one person can win the inter activity of this invention provides amusement, knowledge and can be absorbing for every player and although one person reaches the destination before the others, all players are intrinsically involved until the very last move It is an invention which can greatly educate the young in matters of geography and history whilst simultaneously providing amusement As well, it can be used as a travelling aid in the family car, or by air or train travel where children or adults navigate the boredom of time The invention is a significant advance on known prior art in this field.

In yet a further example of background art there is a range of board games out there such as the so-called "German" or "Euro" games, or other games which have an emphasis or local influence peculiar to the location or Country. These games (as the names suggest) mainly originate from western Europe, notably Germany, where board games are much bigger and are a more widely appreciated hobby for adults and families.

Fortunately for us as English-speakers, many of these games either require no foreign language skills or have been produced in English language versions or, alternatively they contain international standard easily recognisable visual icons where translation is not a major impediment.

These "German/Euro" games are typically: interesting to play where some real decision-making is to be done containing options, some local knowledge or simply Chance Decisions but learning at the same time.

of some interaction (players negotiate, make deals, trade things, target each other, etc.) not too complicated to learn when compared to computer type war games, survival or other games which may test the intellect of younger players.

relatively quick to play (anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes) beautifully produced (great artwork, nice wooden, metal or plaster pieces, etc.) In further examples of prior art board games another game comes to mind which had an Australian emphasis, it was a game called "Squatter".

In playing the game of Squatter, you start with a number of sheep and go round and round the board getting news of good or bad fortune relating to the dangers or perils of" Outback" living in Australia in which the" Chance "card was always" DROUGHT" This card had the ability to force you out of the game However, this was a simple chance game not requiring significant skills and not learning about the Country for which this invention is created In Squatter one was beaten by the elements which prevail in outback living when likened with having to cope with drought, floods, fire, disease among the sheep, family divorce caused by drifters etc.

While relevant, this and other similar board games and now online games on a family personal computer contain opportunities to learn whilst enjoying the game and is particularly significant.

In Squatter, you weren't beaten by the other players with a little knowledge or the opportunity to the acquisition of knowledge you were beaten by the forces of nature.

Playing board games via a computer terminal is a new phenomena in today's computerised environment. Computers will become an eventual interface for almost every daily activity.

Games will eventually be controlled by the influence of computers laptops, PDA's and other digital devices, many of which are portable. Already, it is possible to play chess solitaire, trivia pursuit, maze games and other Mind "games where the player challenges the computer The most common of course are action games of war survival, sport or questions posed to 3 the computer in which an alternate set of answers are provided Whilst, this is useful, the answers are often "Chance "with the player saying" I've got three choices, one must be right, and he/she goes about eliminating the obvious choices until the right answer is found In the present invention, there is a learning skill which prompts" Subliminal "penetration of the mind as a player reads and retains vital information contained in the various written data found at almost every stop of the journey around the board or online.

Social interaction associated with background art provide fascinating observations, a board game played face face is the most social kind of game. However, when games are played with more than one player, this triggers social interactivity and the opportunity to chat In today's computer environment it is possible to engage in instant messenger options and interact with people in remote locations Playing by Computer also provides the opportunity to play when used with email or chat room technologies. With the capability and the advantages of bandwidth it is now often possible to play in" Real Time In other forms of existing games it is possible to play games accessed from a database or downloaded via a mobile phone again, most of these games are for individual players except if two players are sitting side by side and competing on a "time taken "challenge using their own hand held mobile devices.

There are very limited action games either on a table as a board game or played on a computer where "pop up" localised intellectual data is provided both for entertainment value and education for the entire family regardless of the difference in age This invention identifies a need for an improved method of using and playing action cards and games and overcomes the shortfalls and problems inherent in prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, the preseni invention provides an improved method of using interactive action cards and games which create entertainment value and is an innovative way to learn about specific cultures, geography and in particular the tourism knowledge of Australia as a Country In fact, many topics which have a specific focus such as religion.

Politics or the like would be of interest to many people Broadly it is an educational as wvell as an interactive action game which can be played online which further enhances the education capabilities of the invention as it transcends local regional and global boundaries and further. it is equally novel and useful in other Countries using the same or varied topics It should be noted that in one embodiment of the invention it focuses on commencing a trip around Australia for example, in which the players which in some cases may only be one person is able to navigate a trip using the cards which have written upon them notable facts about the location in which a user has landed upon material facts of population industry history, notable celebrities or many other facts which may have been unknown to the player or user before having received a card detailing this interesting data or information pertaining to the area In a further variation to this embodiment it may be that as a player arrives at a location, city or region that he/she may receive an imaginary amount of money so that a purchase

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may be made of souvenirs or even acquire an asset which can be built upon as the player may circum navigate the Country many times, thus making the game almost endless.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention it is possible to engage players from remote locations around the globe either in playing for fun or engaging in a global competition online using technology such as chat rooms or online gaming or the like.

In a specific embodiment ofthe invention it will be possible to play as a board game or online where many categories or topics are able to be employed topics such as:- 1. The geography game around Australia or any other Country 2. The sporting game such as football, cricket baseball ,motor sports, the Melbourne Cup history and many more 3. The wildlife game where animals such as those found in Africa, India or Australia constitute the topic which allows them to be tools of learning about various animals.

4. The religion game for teaching the scriptures, Koran etc The game for notable sporting events such as the torch carrying through manv Countries for the Olympics etc or other fund raising events which may involve the Community either on a multiple level or by individuals 6. The Christmas game in which people from many Countries could engage in events like Carols across the World online 7. Notable Celebrities in the development of Australia as an education tool.

In further specific embodiment of the present invention relating to the board game version there is provided a quantum of cards which are strategically placed around the board so as to provide information about the location in which a player has landed This information may be in the form of detailing the special items of interest including tourism assets of the particular location By reading the card the player learns of data which may not have been known previously and in some instances the card may be a card of chance which may also include a penalty such as You have just landed on Coffs Harbours' Big Banana miss three throws while you eat or "Ned Kelly's grave is a heritage site you've been chosen to advance three locations It may also be that numerous cards are found near the location with interesting items of history or trivia In a further embodiment of the board game or online as technology develops the options for visually impaired people using Braille techniques will be an option.

It is of particular interest to youngsters travelling with parents on holiday who continually ask are we there yet .or what do we do next" In a further embodiment of the invention relating to the online version of the present invention the stacks of cards for each location may also be cards of chance and displayed by means ofa pop- up window which when it comes into the view of the player, there may be provided a software generated computer file which when activated plays a description of the location landed upon instructions to advance stay or retreat and these instructions may be by streaming video, flash animation, as a conveyor belt slide show with or without sound and may also include the ability to activate "Text to Speech capabilities when the cursor is moved over the image or computer driven instruction A further embodiment may provide for sponsors located either within or outside of the designated location to provide interesting data for viewing which may be in the form of advertising a specific location to visit or a product which maybe able to be found within the district or location related or not related to the category of game which may be played at the time Where animation or other added visual features of this invention are available it should be noted that the ability to activate animation or sound enhancements would be done by the presence within certain entries of the game where computer applets exist, which, when activated may launch automatically or after activation by the user.

An applet is an executable program which executes on the user's terminal and may perform a range of functions.

In vet a further embodiment, whether the game is being played as a board game whilst travelling in the family car on a vacation or trip in which the locations are traversed or online in which the information/chance cards may provide the names of tourist spots, museums or places of interest to visit, including phone or email numbers of places of interest which can be contacted even before arriving It is to be understood that the descriptions of the embodiments focus on the understanding that the example relates to the game of travelling around Australia however when other categories such as Sports or other interesting subjects are chosen the principle of the invention remains however, the subjects are adapted to the game or topic being used as the game Or alternatively because DVD's are now able to be installed in entertainment units in a family car, a screen within the car can be used to drop down as a table or in a vertical position in which the program/game can be played with many multi-media applications being able to be embedded on the DVD A firther embodiment of the present invention relates to an enhanced version of the online game which allows the game to be played on a computer or digital device through Touch Screen technology where a computer mouse or wand/stylus device is utilised.

The stylus being similar to those instruments used bfr reading bar codes traversing a PDA Personal Digital Assistant touching on icons or the like An alternative is to simply use a finger on the screen upon icons or images which rirm the online version of the game BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 1. figure I illustrates a typical trip map when the invention is used to traverse Australia as a board game.

2. Figure 2 illustrates a typical trip map used for the online version of the game 3. Figure 3 illustrates a stylus reading type device used with touch screen applications when a user's finger is not applied.

4. Figure 4 illustrates a PDA Personal Digital Assistant) one of several optional digital devices which can be used on which to play the Online Game" MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention according to one embodiment provides an improved method of using inter-active action cards and games both as a board game and online game The present invention requires very minimal infrastructure for the board game The board game version is able to be on a solid based cardboard or durable material adequately enhanced with printed visual content which displays the location Interesting information which describes the location with dedicated Stop Points where a player lands and is advanced or retreated according to the rules of the game the rules are provided to the players who may number from one to several according to the playing surface available.

In addition in the example of the Australian geographical game each State or Territory will have information or sponsor cards available to be read or contain options of chance according to the rules refer to illustration of Figure I and I (a The present invention when used as an online game may be able to be played on a digital device such as a Computer, a portable computer, a mobile or cellular phone a digital writing lablet or any similar type of digital equipment which is capable of having the game downloaded or accessed via a database which houses the games according to the categories or topics nominated by the inventor or the licensee of the product eventually produced Illustrated in Figure 2 and 2 a) and 2 (b) It should be noted that in the present invention when an online game version is available the digital device which allows the game to be played may have sound video screen and streaming video capacity and other software applications to carry out the capabilities of the invention This software being able to be activated by the method of having a computer mouse positioned or which moves over the region of the computer or digital device screen as required Illustrated in Figure 3 It should be noted that the any computer network which may be used for the online game or by digital device should be taken to include all forms ofconnected or communicating computers or terminals having at least two terminals connected or communicating as hereinbefore described Or as a stand alone digital device in which the game /program is downloaded to a PDA or digital device of the like That is the term computer network should be taken to include any type of terminal as hereinbefore described, computer, computerised device, peripheral computer equipment computerised accessory, mobile or cellular phone digital electronic device or other similar type of computer electronic device capable of communicating with at least one or any of the above mentioned entities Said communication of information can occur over any data communications network .computer network wireless network internetwork.

intranetwork local are network LAN). wide area network WAN the Interenet and developments thereof, transient or temporary network, combinations of the above or any other type of network providing for computerised electronic or digital devices It should be noted that the devices immediately described above include where the invention is downloaded from a database, a CD Rom or DVD or similar electronic equipment used through any of the above electronic devices In a further form of the present invention the game may be produced on a stored device such as a DVD or CD Rom or a comparable digital device capable of having the content stored and able to be downloaded installed or played through a computer terminal In order to comply with any licensing or intellectual property obligations the Inventor may be required to seek permission to use certain technologies, those obligations must be met by the Inventor where applicable The Invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts. elements or features and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail it should be understood that various changes substitutions, and alterations can be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as hereinbefore described and as hereinafter claimed

Claims (4)

1. An improved method of an inter-active board and online game which have specific educational qualities having a genuine Australian content but able to be utilised in many Countries and numerous categories It is a game which can be used to make youngsters aware of the heritage and culture of Australia and is equally interesting for adults who may be visiting an area of Australia for the first time.

2. A board game as claimed in claim 1 able to be played in a family motor vehicle or in the family home on an aircraft or wherever a board is possible to be placed for use by one person or many

3. An online game according to claim 1 except that with the advent of computers, cellular phones and other digital devices online games are now a reality and with capabilities such a streaming video and sound this enhances the invention claimed in the specifications.

4. A new improved and innovative and useful board and online game utilising new content previously never used and combining with new technologies involving computer based capabilities explained in claims 1-3 and the accompanying drawings