Amusement devices: games – Problem eliciting response
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-11
2004-04-06
Pierce, William M. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Problem eliciting response
C273S14800B, C273S292000, C273S236000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06715762
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The system of the present invention was originated to promote, create, and/or enhance various human relationships by providing a combination of participation in a game or game-like activity or activities with periods of discussion to exchange ideas on a variety of topics. The components of the system are combined in a way which are in some respects random, and yet arranged to occur so that they complement one another to provide the positive aspects that create better human relationships, and also diffuse, defuse, divert or otherwise alleviate the adverse elements that are impediments to these relationships.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
There are many facets of the subject of human relations, dealing with the process of “getting acquainted”, “getting to know each other better”, and simply “getting along”.
As one example, when a group of people are moving into a new environment, such as entering school as freshmen, or starting a new job, in some instances there would be orientation programs where the newcomers are assembled for a presentation that gives an overview. Quite often the program is arranged so that the people will break up into groups for either workshops, tours of the facility, or structured activities. This may be mixed in with more casual social activities such as a get together where these people have name tags and they move freely among groups to engage in introductory conversations with different people.
Also, at conventions, seminars, and professional educational programs, there will generally be a social hour, again for the purpose of these people meeting each other on a more informal basis. In many instances, alcoholic beverages will be served (generally in moderation), and in more recent times this activity has been given the title of an “attitude adjustment” hour.
In contrast to the two situations given above, some activities are established on a more continuing basis to accomplish not only the initial introductions, but also to promote long range good fellowship and also combine this with community activities. Thus, we have the Rotarians, the Lions, the Elks and many others. There are regular meetings with a meal, a period of announcements done humorously, often a program, etc.
Another broad category is the area of sports and games where, in the course of such activities, people become acquainted with each other and may become good friends. The game of golf, for example, lends itself to a fair amount of off and on conversation. Also, card games leave room for conversation, such as a period when a hand is completed and a person is shuffling the cards and dealing a new hand. In fact, quite often the more enjoyable aspect of such games is the fellowship/friendship that develops.
It is interesting to note that in most all of these situations, as indicated in the above text, the activity or event which promotes the “getting acquainted” and “getting to know each other better” is more to provide the opportunity for the acquaintanceship, but not the actual process of accomplishing it. In other words, there is the opportunity for the people to make the introduction, and then the people are more or less left to their own devices to carry the conversation further. They may “hit it off” where the initial introduction results in a lasting friendship or at least a pleasant acquaintanceship that might be generated from time to time.
However, quite often people have difficulty in making these initial introductions into anything more than the only somewhat “superficial” exchange of ideas or information on some very general topics. They have difficulty in meeting people and making friends. To remedy this situation, we have various books and programs to improve a person's social skills. Decades ago there was the very successful “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, a book written by Dale Carnegy, and this developed later into a series of courses to accomplish just what the title of the book expresses.
Then when the closer relationships do develop, such as a good friendship, a family relationship, or a marital relationship, there are also books and programs to facilitate the relationships and get the people over difficulties that occur.
In view of the foregoing, it is only natural that this whole area of human communications and behavior would be studied analytically. One has only to consult a dictionary words beginning with the five letters “p, s, y, c, and h” (derived from the word “psyche”) to identify the areas of study that have developed.
Thus we find the term “psychology”, which is defined as “the science of mental processes and behavior”.
Then there are areas of scientific inquiry which deal with more severe mental problems. There is “psychiatry” defined as “medical study, diagnoses, treatment and prevention of mental illness”. Out of this grows “psychoanalysis”, the technique developed by Sigmund Freud that uses free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference to investigate mental processes”. There is also “psychotherapy” (the psychological treatment of mental, emotional, and nervous disorders).
There are professional counselors who deal not necessarily with more severe human illnesses or aberrations, but more with resolving a wide variety of human/social problems, whether these be problems in the work place, school, marriage, family relations, etc. Many of these counselors develop unique skills and techniques to get to the heart of the problem and find solutions.
Again, it is interesting to note that when the counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and other such professions apply their techniques to situations, they do so where there is a “problem”. Where there is a situation of sufficient concern so that the assistance of a specialist is needed, there are programs, books, courses directed toward developing high levels of competence in human communications.
To turn our attention to a rather different aspect of human social activity, In large part, these appear to be focused toward an identified goal, such as making a sale, negotiating a favorable settlement, making a speech to promote a cause or point of view, a lawyer developing the skills to convince a judge or jury, etc. In general, the goal toward which these are directed is to succeed or come out a “winner”. Thus, the person who becomes a successful salesman, “gets the sale” and the salesman who is less adept comes out the “loser”.
Now we come to this somewhat unique category of human relationships which is what we might term the “boy/girl” relationships. The efforts to foster this in some sort of program or controlled basis begin probably around the age 11 to 13, where there are school dances. Then there is the activity of “dating” which in some instances may lead to becoming engaged and eventually a marital relationship.
In some instances, this “win/lose” approach in the area of “boy/girl” relationships becomes paramount. There are books and magazines on how to succeed in these relationships, how to dress, how to talk, and other guidelines to make one more socially acceptable in the particular arena of boy/girl activity. For better or for worse, this can become a competitive atmosphere.
These boy/girl relationships in general differ from many of the other relationships discussed above in this text in that there is often a strong element of emotion which could be characterized as love, dedication, a caring feeling, etc. Thus, in those situations where the emotional attachment becomes diminished, a married couple has to find out if they actually do have a sufficiently strong bond to maintain and nurture a happy marital relationship.
Now, to transfer our attention to another facet of human relationships, there is often a natural reluctance in most every person to be completely open and candid in communicating with others, particularly in the early “getting acquainted” stage. A person may be avoiding certain channels of conversation or even disguising actual facts simply because that person does not want to appear foolish
Hughes Robert B.
Hughes Law Firm PLLC
Pierce William M.
LandOfFree
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