GB2447064A

GB2447064A - Remote controlled toy used for playing a game

Info

Publication number: GB2447064A
Application number: GB0701387A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Charles Spittle; Simon Skelton; Ruth Elliott
Original assignee: Big Ideas Product Development Ltd
Current assignee: Big Ideas Product Development Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-24
Filing date: 2007-01-24
Publication date: 2008-09-03
Also published as: GB0701387D0

Abstract

A game-playing apparatus comprises a toy 2 and a remote control handset 4 which is arranged to transmit control signals to the toy 2, causing the toy 2 to perform different actions. The apparatus is used to play a memory-recall game, like "Simple Simon", wherein at least one player is required to operate the remote control 4 to cause the toy 2 to repeat a sequence of actions. The toy is preferably a toy vehicle and the actions may include advancing, reversing, opening and closing the doors, bonnet or boot, flashing the headlights or indicators, emitting a sound including revving the engine or sounding the horn. The remote control 4 may be a wireless handset. Both single-player and multi-player games may be played with the number of actions in the sequence increasing as the game progresses. The toy 2 may give an indication of successful or unsuccessful repetition of the sequence of actions, with unsuccessful repetition ending the game for that player.

Description

Game-playing Apparatus The present invention relates to a game-playing

apparatus and, more particularly, to an electronic game-playing apparatus arranged to provide a memory-recall game.

It is known to provide an electronic game-playing apparatus in the form of console having buttons arranged to be selectively illuminated, and arranged to provide a memory-recall game, wherein at least one player is required to press the buttons to repeat a sequence in which the buttons are illuminated.

However, such an apparatus is limited in its appeal to younger children, to whom it provides little interactive entertainment value.

We have now devised an apparatus which provides greater interactive entertainment value than existing electronic game-playing apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a game-playing apparatus, comprising a toy and a remote control handset arranged to transmit control signals to the toy to cause the toy to perform different actions, and arranged to provide a memory-recall game, wherein at least one player is required to operate the remote control to cause the toy to repeat a sequence of actions.

Preferably the toy comprises a toy vehicle, in which case, the different actions may comprise one or more of the following: advancing; reversing; opening and closing a door, the bonnet or the trunk of the vehicle; flashing the vehicle's headlights or an indicator light; emitting a vehicle sound, such as sounding the vehicle's horn or emitting an engine revving sound; and animating a vehicle passenger, or emitting a sound or voice associated with that passenger.

Preferably, the toy is arranged to provide audio or visual feedback, to indicate whether a player has been successful or unsuccessful in repeating a sequence of actions.

Preferably the remote control handset comprises a wireless handset, which may, for example, transmit infra-red, ultrasonic or radio-frequency control signals to the toy.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game comprises a single-player game, wherein if the single-player is successful in repeating a sequence of actions, the player is then required to repeat a further sequence of actions of increased length, which further sequence preferably comprises the first sequence, plus one or more additional actions, the game preferably continuing until the player is either unsuccessful in repeating a sequence of actions or is successful in repeating a sequence of actions of a pre-determined length.

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game comprises a multi-player game, wherein players are required to operate the remote control, in turn, to repeat a sequence of actions, each player, on successfully repeating the sequence of actions, being required to select a further action to be added to the sequence, players preferably being eliminated from the game if they are unsuccessful in correctly repeating the sequence of actions on their respective turn.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawing (labelled Figure 1), which is a stylised representation of a game-playing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, an electronic game-playing apparatus is shown comprising a toy car 2 and a remote control handset 4 arranged to transmit control signals to the toy to cause the car to perform different actions, these actions including: advancing; reversing; opening and closing a door, the bonnet or the trunk of the vehicle; flashing the vehicle's headlights and indicator lights; and sounding the vehicle's horn.

Each of a plurality of operating buttons 6 of the remote control handset 4 corresponds to a respective one of the aforementioned actions, such that when a button is pressed, a control signal is transmitted from the handset 4 to the car 2, to cause the car to perform the corresponding action.

The apparatus is arranged to provide a memory-recall game, wherein at least one player is required to operate the remote control handset 4 to cause the car 2 to repeat a sequence of actions.

In a first, single-player mode of operation, selectable by means of a switch on the underside of the car (not shown), if a single-player is successful in repeating a sequence of actions performed by the car 2, the player is then required to repeat a further sequence of actions of increased length, the further sequence comprising the actions of the first sequence, plus one or more additional actions, the game continuing until the player is either unsuccessful in repeating a sequence of actions or is successful in repeating a sequence of actions of a pre-determined length.

In a second, multi-player mode of operation, again selectable by means of the switch on the underside of the car (not shown), players are required to operate the remote control handset 4, in turn, to repeat a sequence of actions performed by the car 2. Each player, on successfully repeating the sequence of actions, is then required to select a further action to be added to the sequence. Players are eliminated from the game if they are unsuccessful in correctly repeating the sequence of actions on their respective turn, the game continuing until a single, winning player remains.

The apparatus thus described provides greater interactive entertainment value (particularly for younger children) than existing electronic memory-recall games.

Claims

Claims 1) A game-playing apparatus, comprising a toy and a remote

control handset arranged to transmit control signals to the toy to cause the toy to perform different actions, and arranged to provide a memory-recall game, wherein at least one player is required to operate the remote control to cause the toy to repeat a sequence of actions.
2) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the toy comprises a toy vehicle and the different actions comprise one or more of the following: advancing; reversing; opening and closing a door, the bonnet or the trunk of the vehicle; flashing the vehicle's headlights or an indicator light; emitting a vehicle sound, such as ***.** sounding the vehicle's horn or emitting an engine revving :.:: sound; and animating a vehicle passenger, or emitting a sound or voice associated with that passenger.
3) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, arranged to provide audio or visual feedback, to indicate whether a player has been successful or * unsuccessful in repeating a sequence of actions.
4) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the remote control handset comprises a wireless handset.
5) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the memory-recall game comprises a single-player game, wherein if the single-player is successful in repeating a sequence of actions, the player is then required to repeat a further sequence of actions, of increased length.
6) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the further sequence comprises the first sequence, plus one or more additional actions.
7) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the memory-recall game continues until the player is either unsuccessful in repeating a sequence of actions or is successful in repeating a sequence of actions of a pre-determined length.
8) A game-playing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the memory-recall game comprises a multi-player game, wherein players are required to operate the remote control, in turn, to repeat a sequence of actions, *....* each player, on successfully repeating the sequence of actions, being required to select a further action to be :" added to the sequence.
9) A game playing apparatus as claimed in any preceding :**., claim, wherein players are eliminated from the game if * they are unsuccessful in correctly repeating the sequence of actions on their respective turn.
10) A game-playing apparatus, substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.