Printed matter – Having revealable concealed information – fraud preventer or... – And electrically conductive material
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2002-02-19
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 2755)
Printed matter
Having revealable concealed information, fraud preventer or...
And electrically conductive material
C463S039000, C273S454000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06347813
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to games and books particularly interactive games having multilevels of playing surfaces and for truly interactive books providing interaction between the reader or player in which concealed devices beneath the playing surfaces and the pages are detectable by a probe or similar device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of games to be played primarily by children has been traditionally divided into board and indoor games and outdoor or active games. Recently, with the advent of computers and integrated circuits, there has developed an entire field of video or computer games. Each have their different components and each require a different degree of physical activity on the part of the player. Additionally there are many indoor games which involve some manipulative skills in mechanical games.
Normally, indoor board games include an illustrated playing surface with a number of pieces which are moved in accordance with the game rules with game play usually controlled by a chance device such as a pair of dice or some other random selection device, e.g., a spinner, wind. Outdoor games usually involve a ball or some launched device and possibly a racket or club and depend on more skill of the players than most board games. Randomness in outdoor or field games is often provided by the field or other conditions.
Video or computer games often provide a mixture of player skill and randomness the latter provided by a microprocessor.
Seldom do all three types of games have the same basic game concept or using the same playing equipment.
Recently great interest has arisen in “interactive” games in which the game pattern changes as a result of actions taken by a player or spoken responses by the player.
Nowhere has, to our knowledge, has anyone been able to develop a game concept which becomes a board game, a hand-held or video type game and an outdoor game all with interactive capability.
Some hand held probe like devices have been developed which give an infrared emitter and detector. U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,066 to Frazer et al show such a device. Such a system require the use of special inks on the playing board and the number of responses is limited.
In the field of security devices, complex systems have been developed which sense the presence or absence of a particular device indicating an unauthorized movement of a product carrying the device. These are often used in retail establishments to prevent the shop-lifting of such products. Such systems are typified by the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,810,172 and 3,766,452 issued to Burpee et al. In the field of games, some detection devices have been developed similar to the security devices which give a positive indication of the presence of a hidden device or no signal in the absence of the device. Nowhere to our knowledge has any game type system been able to produce numerous, low cost, easily concealable, and accurately discrete, identifiable devices and, more important, to have a random or interactive response to the detection of one or more of the devices.
Of further importance is the fact that none of the detection systems are adaptable to board games, hand-held games and outdoor games.
In connection with the development of this invention, it has been recognized that interactivity in the play of games is important in achieving maximum play value, but additionally, the came concept may be applied to multilayered board games and even more importantly to books. This can be achieved, provided the concealable devices utilized can each be detected on the appropriate layer without interference or false detection of hidden devices located on underlying layers or pages. At first, it seemed impossible, within the bounds of utilizing passive hidden devices and a probe or detecting device of play quality, cost and ruggedness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
We recognized the situation regarding games and the challenge presented by all of the above requirements and have developed a game concept which is suitable for pre-school, school age including teen-age payers as well as adults and which may be played in the living room or video game parlor or outdoors. We further recognize that it is possible to develop a game which is, in fact, interactive with the players so that even with increase skill through play, memory will not provide an undo advantage over other players playing it for the first or fewer times.
We have also determined that it is possible to have a totally different theme for a game which employs the same fundamental operational elements and can appeal to other players.
Basically, our invention involves some game board or playing surface which may be decorated either permanently or by movable designs to provide an attractive pattern and theme for the players. Concealed on the board or playing surface are a number of devices which are detectable by the game probe but not detectable visually or by touch or by any of the human senses. In several of the embodiments, the devices are concealed within a board and in others, they are concealed within a game piece having some visual image and the game piece may be placed by the players at any of several places on the game board. In the latter case, even though the playing piece is visible and it is known that it carries a secret device, the player may not know the effect of the secret device on the game play.
The game includes a hand-held or body worn or more generally, movable probe which is moved by the player or players around the playing surface. The probe will sense the presence of the hidden device and will actuate a signal to the players. The signal may be an illuminated light, a musical sound, a command or an audible comment.
The circuitry which responds to the detection of the hidden device is programmed to one of the following:
1. Give the same response for each time it is detected;
2. Provide a random response; or
3. Provide a response which is related to the previous actions of a player or previously detected devices (i.e., interactive).
In one embodiment of this invention is a game board with the devices beneath the playing surface which is ornamented to provide the game theme and to conceal the devices. In another embodiment, the devices are concealed in small movable pieces having a picture or symbol thereon which may be placed on a game board in positions selected by the player. The response, preferably, is related to the picture or symbol.
In another embodiment, the devices are located in various positions on a stepping stone and the probe is carried by special attachment to the shoes of the game player. Other embodiments are clearly possible employing this game concept.
The preferred form of devices are simple printed circuits having a unique design allowing easy, predictable, and reliable detection by an electronic probe. The devices are passive and require no power source.
The probe is preferably battery powered and develops an RF signal which is radiated locally in the specific area under the probe. The probe includes detection, a circuitry which responds to the presence of the device to indicate a “detect” condition and identify which device is detected. The detector of the probe is coupled to logic circuitry and to a display. The logic circuitry will determine the nature of the response to be given and the display will provide a visual or audible signal to the player. The logic circuitry in the interactive embodiment of this invention includes memory to remember at least the last device detected to modify the response of the next device detected.
In certain applications, it is a requirement that a detectable device be produced on one side of a dielectric sheet such as paper and preferably by a standard printing process. Given this requirement we have found that it is possible to develop such a pattern. Basically the pattern is made up of two sets of interleaved fingers which provide capacitative coupling. The set of fingers are each interconnected with respective buses. The buses are connected to opposite ends of an inductive elemen
Berger Hal H.
Star Jack
Bernardo Sam
Cherubin Yveste S
Harrison Jessica J.
Smith Robert C.
Wagner John E.
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