IES75669B2

IES75669B2 - Electronic quiz game

Info

Publication number: IES75669B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Keith Gaven; Christophe Caullier
Original assignee: Gavin Keith; Christophe Caullier
Priority date: 1997-01-24
Filing date: 1997-01-24
Publication date: 1997-09-10
Also published as: IES970049A2

Abstract

This invention pertains to an electronic quiz game, incorporating means to administer the game to both individuals and to groups, or teams, of players. The quiz game described comprises a central computer, software which controls the administration of the game (control programme), a video adapter, and a set of remote keypads. In use, the system is connected to existing video display unit (VDU) facilities for the purpose of administering the quiz. The system further incorporates a bidirectional communication link through which the central computer communicates with the remote keypads.

Description

The invention described herein pertains to an electronic quiz game, incorporating means to administer the game to both individual players and to groups, or teams, of players. According to the present invention there is provided an electronic quiz game comprising a central computer, software which controls the administration of the game (control programme), a video adapter, a set of remote keypads, and a bidirectional communication link between the central computer and the remote keypads. Databases of questions can be stored on the central computer, from which the control programme selects the questions. These question are then transmitted, as required, to the existing Video Display Unit(s). Players respond to the displayed questions by using the remote keypads. The central computer then polls the remote keypads and receives data from the remote keypads. Each response is processed, allowing for the later determination of the players’ performance.

There follows a more detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings provided.

Figure 1 is a schematic of the architecture of the electronic quiz game.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the remote keypads.

The electronic quiz game shown in Figure 1 comprises the following main components: a central computer, including a standard keyboard and mouse and incorporating a communication interface; a video adapter, and a set of remote keypads.

In use the system can be connected to existing Video Display Unit (VDU) facilities for the purpose of administering the game. A control programme selects questions from the database stored on the central computer and transmits these questions to the existing VDU(s). Players, using the remote keypads, key in their response to the displayed question. A pre-defined time period (known as the answering period) is allowed for players to key in their response. At the end of the answering period the central processor interrogates each remote keypad in use to receive the inputted data.

This data is then processed to determine the performance of the individual players.

Various aspects of the response can be determined by the central computer, including accuracy and speed of the player’s response. This allows the central computer to discriminate between the performances of the various players.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the remote keypad. Each remote keypad comprises a microprocessor, a set of buttons (known as answering keys) and a means of communication to the central computer. When questions are selected by the control programme running on the central computer, they are then transmitted to the existing VDU(s). Quiz players using the remote keypads provide their response to the displayed question by pressing what they consider to be the appropriate answering key. After the pre-defined answering period for each question has elapsed, the central computer interrogates the remote keypads by means of a communications link and downloads the inputted data. This allows the central computer to determine the performance of the individual players or groups of players.

Claims

1. An electronic quiz game, incorporating means to administer the quiz to individual players and to groups, or teams of players. The game comprises a central computer, software which controls the administration of the game (control programme), a video adapter, a set of remote keypads, and a bidirectional communication link between the central computer and the remote keypads.

2. A means to network a number of such electronic quiz games for the purposes of conducting such quizzes on a larger scale.