Communications: electrical – Systems – Game reporting
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-11-20
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Systems
Game reporting
C340S286020, C340S870030, C340S870030, C273S459000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320495
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to GPS and wireless communication technologies as applied to a game of treasure hunt or scavenger hunt.
BACKGROUND
Treasure hunts are a well-know form of entertainment enjoyed by persons of all ages. In a typical treasure hunt game a person or persons follow(s) a series of clues that lead them to the treasure. The clues are predetermined by a gamemaster who places the clues along a preset path such that the clues, when deciphered, lead the treasure seeker along the path to the treasure. The prior art reflects numerous variations on this general concept.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,200 discloses a card-like structure with detachable elements. The elements contain placement instructions for the gamemaster and messages or clues for the treasure seeker that facilitate the gamemaster guiding the treasure seeker to the treasure.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,695 and 5,511,792 disclose board games based on a pirate's treasure hunt theme.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,075 discloses an interactive, multi-media game system wherein players obtain directions to various locations by viewing a narrative on an audio visual system and solving puzzles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,969 discloses a treasure hunt game wherein clues that lead the players to a treasure are transmitted to the players via pagers. Under the 969 patent, a player's general location may be verified by determining which pager-base station is receiving the player's pager signal and subsequent clues given only when the player is in the correct general location. There are, however, many drawbacks to using pager technology to determine location, including inaccuracy and the requirement that the game be played on a scale of sufficient size such that players travel to differing base station coverage areas.
Global Positioning Satellite (“GPS”) technology provides a very accurate method of determining location. GPS systems utilize 24 GPS satellites in 6 orbits about the earth. A GPS receiver on the earth receives navigational data necessary for precise position determination from 3 or 4 of the GPS satellites. GPS navigational data can be transmitted from the GPS receiver through a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,100 discloses an automobile navigation system that utilizes GPS. In the '100 patent, vehicle location, determined by GPS, and travel time, determined by a timer, are transmitted from the vehicle to a central database via a wireless communications device such as a cellular telephone. The central database utilizes this information to compile travel times and determine optimum travel routes.
The present invention applies the navigational accuracy of GPS with the communications superiority of wireless technology to a game of treasure hunt in order to create a challenging, enjoyable and rewarding experience for game participants.
All documents, including other patents and references, referred to in this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, although no documents are admitted to render any of the claims herein unpatentable either alone or in combination with any other references known by the applicant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, each participant is equipped with a wireless communication device, such as a mobile web-enable cellular telephone, that also incorporates a GPS receiver, and a treasure hunt-type game is played. Participants are given clues directing them along a pre-determined route toward the treasure through the wireless communication device. Players must solve the clues in order to proceed along the pre-determined route and eventually to the treasure. A software program determines the clue to display to each game participant based on certain variables, including the present position of the participant. Each player's position along the treasure hunt route is calculated by the GPS receiver and transmitted to the software program by the wireless communication device. Other variables, such as the number of clues or messages that have been correctly interpreted and the position of other players may also be factored into the determination of which clue to display to the participants. The participants follow the clues along the route to the treasure. The first player to arrive at the treasure wins.
The game can be played on a small scale where participants utilize hand-held GPS-enabled communication devices to seek a treasure on foot, or on larger scales where the devices are mounted on automobiles or other means of transportation. The game can be designed to be played in a multitude of geographic treasure hunt territories. The use of a web enabled wireless communications device allows the internet and world wide web to be used as the medium to transmit clues to players and receive their positions. It also allows players to utilize the resources of the web to solve clues and provides a means for nonparticipants in the game to follow along. The web is also ideal for providing advertising space to game sponsors and others.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5236200 (1993-08-01), McGregor et al.
patent: 5646629 (1997-07-01), Loomis et al.
patent: 5679075 (1997-10-01), Forrest et al.
patent: 5924695 (1999-07-01), Heykoop
patent: 5933100 (1999-08-01), Golding
patent: 5942969 (1999-08-01), Wicks
patent: 6023241 (2000-02-01), Clapper
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, LLP
Nguyen Phung
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Treasure hunt game utilizing GPS equipped wireless... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Treasure hunt game utilizing GPS equipped wireless..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Treasure hunt game utilizing GPS equipped wireless... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606444