WO2007074336A1

WO2007074336A1 - Handheld game

Info

Publication number: WO2007074336A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/004865
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Wattleworth
Original assignee: Stephen Wattleworth
Priority date: 2005-12-29
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: GB2446107A; GB0526533D0; GB0810020D0

Abstract

A handheld game has a console (10) which will be held in the hand, and a set of question cards (166). The question cards have a question or questions printed on them, and a number of possible answers to each question. The cards are printed with a barcode (18) which indicates the correct answer, but in a non-human readable form. The console has a barcode reader (14) such that when a card is inserted in a slot in the console, the barcode is read and the console then knows which answer is correct. The user selects the answer he or she thinks is correct by pressing buttons on the console, and the console then tells the user whether the answer selected is right or wrong. The console can keep a score for the user. Several users can take part in the same game with the console being passed around, and each player being identified to the console by pressing particular buttons (28, 30).

Description

Handheld Game

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to handheld games which can be used without any external power source and which can be carried around by the user and used in any place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a handheld game comprising a console and a pack of question cards, each card having printed thereon a question to be answered, a plurality of possible answers to that question on one face, and bearing an electronically readable code, and the console having a slot into which a card can be inserted, a code reader for reading the code on the card, a button which the player can use to select one of the possible answers, and means for indicating whether the answer selected is or is not the correct answer, as determined by the code read by the code reader.

Preferably each card has a number of questions and a corresponding plurality of answers and a corresponding number of electronically readable codes. The codes (which are preferably barcodes) may be printed on the same face of the card as the questions and answers, or on the opposite face.

The cards may have information about a subject on one face, and questions about that subject on the reverse face.

The console may have a space for accommodating a stack of question cards so that the cards can be carried about with the console. The question cards may be housed in a dispenser which can be removably attached to the back of the console, so that sets of cards may be easily interchanged.

The console may include a timer which allows a set period of time for answering a question. The timer may have different settings to allow shorter or longer periods of time for answering, thus giving different levels of difficulty.

The console will have means for maintaining a score of a player as the player gives answers to each question on each card, and there may be means for allowing a number of players to compete against each other, with the console maintaining separate scores for each player, as will be described below.

The console is preferably battery powered, but may have means for allowing it to be used with mains power, or may even be solar powered.

The game is easily portable and can be played anywhere, by one player competing against himself to achieve a high score, or by a number of players competing against each other. Different sets of cards can be used with the console, so that the questions do not get out of date, or become familiar to the players.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a console in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the console of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3a is a front view of a question card;

Figure 3b is a back view of the question card of Figure 3a;

Figure 4 is a back view of the console of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 shows a card dispenser detached from the console.

The console 10 shown in Figure 1 has a slot 12 into which a card can be inserted. At one edge of the slot is a barcode reader 14.

A card 16 shown in Figures 3a and 3b has a front face 16a with space 17a for an image and space 17b for some text relating to the image. At either side of the front face 16a a barcode 18 is printed (shown schematically in the drawings as a solid line), in fact, only one of these barcodes will be used; barcodes are printed on both sides in this example for visual symmetry of the card face design. On the back face 16b are three questions, numbered Q1, Q2, Q3, each with four possible answers A, B, C, D.

The cards 16 will be inserted in the slot 12 with their front face 12a facing to the back. As each card is inserted, the bar code 18 will pass over the barcode reader 14 which will read and store information about the questions on the card. Once the card is fully inserted, the game will begin, in the manner to be described below.

The console has

four player number indicator lights (PNIL) 20 three question number and skifl level indicator lights (QNIL/SUL) 22 - four count down and correct answer indicator lights (CDIL/CAIL) 24 a player information and score display (PISD) 26 a menu option select and player select button (MO1 B/PSB) 28 a menu option select, skill level select, answer, bonus and second chance button (MO2B/SLSB/AB/BB/SCB) 30.

The console will be powered by on-board batteries, probably 2 or 3 x AAs (rechargeable or non-rechargeable), and there may be a facility for attaching a mains adaptor to give an alternate direct power source. There may also be an attachment point for a light stick to illuminate the card for night reading.

The console can also have a loudspeaker 31 , and this can be positioned where it will be concealed behind a card, when the card is in place. The display 26 is an LCD screen which can display a wide variety of characters, and in particular can display a text or message which can scroll off one end of the screen to be able to display a message longer than the width of the screen.

The packs of cards can consist of thirty question cards. The cards can be held in a plastic moulded card dispenser 32 (Figure 5) which slides and clips into the back of the console 10 and is designed to prevent accidental card spillage during the game.

The dispenser has a pair of slots 34 which engage with corresponding formations on the back of the console so that the dispenser can be slid onto the console and hold there whilst a game is being played. The top of the dispenser has a wall 36 with a curved edge 38 from which the cards will be dispensed, and a thumb notch 40 on the opposite edge of the wall 36, so that the cards can be pushed into an arcuate configuration to enable a card to be withdrawn past the edge 38. The cards are held in the dispenser by side walls 42 on one side, by a bottom wall 44 and by a transverse wall 46.

A container (not shown) can be provided for the dispenser so that the cards are held securely when they are on display in a shop, and when they are being transported or stored. The container can be transparent so that the card design can be viewed without opening the container.

There may also be an option for sounds to be emitted when buttons are pressed, with different sounds being produced for different button presses.

In a preferred embodiment, the console will be used in the manner described below:

The console should be of a size and weight such that it fits comfortably in the hand, with the buttons 28 and 30 easily accessible. The display 26 can be an LED or an LCD display. In the following description, the console 10 will be referred to as the Gamer, and a pack of cards 16 will be referred to as the Deck.

1 The Game

1.1 Up to 4 players may play against each other or a single player may play alone on the Gamer. Each player chooses between 3 skill levels

1.2 The object of the game is to obtain the highest score for the Deck or selected question cards

1.3 The Gamer is switched on and question cards are inserted into the Gamer card slot with the question side showing. This activates the countdown timer

1.4 Information contained in the barcode on the card is decoded as the card is slide into the Gamer

1.5 Each player seeks to complete a card as fast as possible in order to score the highest number of points

1.6 Each card has 3 questions each with 4 multiple choice answers

1.7 Each question is allocated 100 points and the Gamer counts down points until the question is answered correctly or no points remain

1.8 The player may nominate a card as a bonus card to earn double points or simply play the card and select the correct answers and if incorrect may use a number of second chance options to try again

1.9 When the player answer a question correctly the remaining score is added to the player's cumulative score

1.10 If the player's final answer is incorrect the correct answer is indicated and no points are added to the player's cumulative score

1.11 After each question is completed or points run out and the Gamer moves to the next question until all 3 questions have been answered on the card

1.12 Each player's total score accumulates until the game ends at which point the winner is the player with the highest total score

2 Gamer Set-up - Start-Up & Skill Levels

2.1 The player turns on the Gamer by holding down both buttons for 5 seconds

2.2 The Gamer completes a check routine which in turn illuminates each LED until all are illuminated and finally signals ready state by turning all LEDs off but leaving

Player 1 LED illuminated and the Skill Level 1 LED illuminated and the LCD displaying 'Set Skill'

2.3 The skill level is set for Player 1 by pressing the Skill Level Select Button (SLSB). Press the SLSB repeatedly to rotate through each skill level which is indicated both by one of the three yellow Skill Level Indicator Light (SLIL) LEDs on the right of the Gamer and shown on the LCD display. The LED illuminated and the LCD message show the skill level of the player currently selected. At start-up Player 1 default is Skill Level 1

2.4 Next another player may be chosen by pressing the Player Select Button (PSB). Repeatedly pressing the PSB rotates through each of four players which is indicated by one of the four yellow Player Number Indicator Light (PNIL) LEDs on the left of the Gamer and the message on the LCD display. The illuminated LED and the LCD message show the player currently set to play. At start-up Players 2, 3 and 4 are set not to play which is indicated on the LCD display by the player number and the message 'Not Live'

2.5 Press the Menu Option 1 Button (WIO1B) to display 'Exit' and confirm the choice by pressing Menu Option 2 Button (MO2B).

2.6 Three skill levels are available which are shown by the SLIL LEDs and the LCD display messages. Skill Level 1 is for starters, skill level 2 for intermediates and skill level 3 for advanced.

3 Playing Cards - Answering Questions

3.1 The cards are in portrait format with an image, description and answers to questions encoded in a barcode on one side. On the other side of the card are 3 questions each of which have 4 alternative answers A, B, C & D printed under each question 3.2 To play the quiz game press the M01 B to display the 'Start Game' option on the LCD display and confirm the choice by pressing MO2B. Initially Player 1 PNIL LED is illuminated together with the chosen SLIL LED and the LCD display shows 'Insert Card'. Next Player 1 takes a card from the dispenser, views the image and reads the description. On turning the card over the player inserts the card into the Gamer card slot. Now question 1 is indicated by the illuminated QNIL LED and the player reads the question and chooses one of 4 alternative answers by pressing the Answer Button (AB) as the chosen red / green Correct Answer Indicator Light (CAIL) LED A, B C, or D is illuminated

3.3 Once question 1 is completed the Gamer automatically increments to question 2 after 2 seconds as indicated by the illuminated QNIL LED and the Player 1 answers again. This is repeated for question 3

3.4 The player may wish to select a second answer by pressing the Second Chance Button (SCB) within 2 seconds of pressing AB and selecting another answer by pressing the AB button again

3.5 If the answer is incorrect the all CAIL LEDs are illuminated red with the incorrectly chosen Led remaining red. Next the correct answer is indicated by another CAIL LED- being illuminated _.green

3.6 Now it is the turn of the next player to play the current card by pressing the PSB and answering the questions.

3.7 When all players have played the current card and the LCD display shows 'Next Card¹, the card is removed and the next card inserted. This sets the PNIL LED to start at the next first player who plays the card followed by all other players. Cards are played rotating the first player until the game is ended

3.8 Cards in a Deck may be answered in any order and the score is accumulated until the players determine the game is ended by removing the last card and pressing MO1B to select the 'Game End' option and confirming the choice by pressing MO2B at which point the winner's PNIL LED is illuminated and the player number and score are displayed on the PISD followed by other players in descending score order

3.9 The alternative to free play as described above, is a tournament which may be set up and if a high score is achieved the score is recorded. High scores for the top 10 Decks are permanently recorded for Player 1. The Gamer owner plays as Player 1 as this is the position from which the high score is saved

3.10 To start a tournament press MO1 B and select the 'Start Tournament' option and confirm the choice by pressing MO2B. A tournament will be held for the Deck number of the card played next

3.11 If there is a current high score for that Deck number it is displayed on the PISD as the score to beat. Then all player's skill levels are set to level 3 and player's scores to zero

3.12 The tournament continues until all cards are played or the game is ended. On completion scores and places are displayed on the PISD. The score is saved if the score of Player 1 is higher than the current high score for that Deck number or it becomes ranked in the top 10 Deck scores

4 Scoring

4.1 The Player Information and Score Display (PISD) consists of an LCD display which displays information and scores. The screen display scroll off the end, so that messages longer than the width of the screen can be displayed.

4.2 Standard scoring is based on speed of answering the questions correctly. At the start of a question 100 points are allotted which reduces to zero as time runs out

4.3 The quiz for a card starts by sliding the question card into the top of the card slot which immediately illuminates Question Number Indicator Light (QNIL) number 1 yellow LED on the Gamer top right. After a delay of 2 seconds the countdown scoring is initiated for the card

4.4 For standard scoring the time allowed is set to 25 seconds for skill level 1 , 20 seconds for skill level 2 and 15 seconds for skill level 3

4.5 Second chances for a question are available in each game. Each second chance used is charged at 20 points, which is deducted from the player's score. Second chances vary by skill level. Level 1 second chances are unrestricted, for level 2 there are 20 chances and for level 3 there are 5 chances

4.6 Double points bonus may be chosen for a card by pressing the Bonus Button (BB) after the card has been inserted whilst 'Bonus¹ is shown on the LCD display and before countdown scoring begins. Double points may be chosen for up to 5 cards in a game by all skill levels. Second chances are charged double at 40 points while a bonus card is being played

4.7 Count Down Indicator Lights (CDIL) illuminate in turn as soon as countdown scoring starts with four red / green LEDs starting as green and pulse from left to right. As the time runs out the colour changes from green to red. Each scan of the 4 CDIL LEDs reduces the score by 20 points. In total there are 5 scans of the CDIL

LEDs before zero is reached

4.8 To answer the question the current player must choose A, B, C, or D by waiting until the chosen Correct Answer Indicator Light (CAIL) LED is illuminated and then pressing the AB

4.9 If the question is correctly answered the LEDs stop pulsing and all CAIL LEDs simultaneously flash green with the correctly chosen LED remaining permanently illuminated green. The remaining points as displayed on the PISD are added to the running total for the current player.

4.10 If the question is answered incorrectly or the question points run out all CAIL LEDs are illuminated red and flash with the incorrect LED if chosen remaining permanently illuminated red. No score is added to the running total. The correct answer's LED is finally iliminated green before the game moves to the next question

4.11 After 2 seconds the question number increments to the next question on the card, as indicated by the illuminated QNIL LED, and the countdown begins again for the next question. The process continues through completion of questions 2 and 3 after which the next player number to play the same card is displayed is displayed on the PISD or 'Next Card' when all players have played the card

4.12 On a player completing a card the player's number is first displayed on the PISD followed by the card number and score and then the cumulative score

4.13 When a free play game or a tournament game is ended the final ranking and scores are displayed in order on the PISD. If the tournament score is in the top ten high scores it will be saved as a high score. High scores may be reviewed or deleted by selecting the 'High Scores' option by pressing MO1B and confirming the choice by pressing MO2B

4.14 Players not wishing to be limited by time may select the 'Countdown Off' option by pressing MO1B and toggling between on and off by pressing MO2B. Simple scoring on the Gamer allocates 30 points for each question, deducts 10 points for each wrong answer, allows unrestricted second chances and 5 bonus cards

5 Other Options

5.1 Players can choose to always have Player 1 start each card by pressing MO1B and selecting the 'Player 1 Start' option or toggle back to 'Rotate Player Start' by pressing MO2B

5.2 Players may input their name and telephone number by selecting 'Name' and 'Phone' options by pressing MO1B and confirming the choice by pressing MO2B

5.3 Players requiring no sound may select the 'Sound Off' option by pressing MO1B and toggling between on and off by pressing MO2B

5.4 Alternative power input is available via the mains DC adaptor plug point provided

5.5 An LED light stick plug point is provided. Using a light stick will enable cards to be illuminate and the game played in the dark

5.6 There is a sound device option for voice sounds such as 'Right Answer', 'Second Chance', 'Question Timeout', and 'Card Complete'.

Claims

^ ^ ^Claims

1. A handheld game comprising a console and a pack of question cards, each card having printed thereon a question to be answered, a plurality of possible answers to that question on one face, and bearing an electronically readable code, and the console having a slot into which a card can be inserted, a code reader for reading the code on the card, a button which the player can use to select one of the possible answers, and means for indicating whether the answer selected is or is not the correct answer, as determined by the code read by the code reader.

2. A game as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each card has a plurality of questions and a corresponding plurality of answers and a corresponding plurality of electronically readable codes.

3. A game as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the codes are printed on the same face of the card as the questions and answers.

4. A game as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the codes are printed on the opposite face of the card to the questions and answers.

5. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the codes are barcodes.

6. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cards have information about a subject on one face, and questions about that subject on the reverse face.

7. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console has a space for accommodating a stack of question cards so that the cards can be carried about with the console.

8. A game as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the question cards are housed in a dispenser which can be removably attached to the back of the console, so that sets of cards may be easily interchanged.

9. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console includes a display screen, and the display screen indicates whether the answer selected is or is not the correct answer.

10. A game as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the screen is an LCD screen.

11. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console includes a timer which allows a set period of time for answering a question.

12. A game as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein the timer has different settings to allow shorter or longer periods of time for answering, thus giving different levels of difficulty.

13. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console has means for maintaining a score of a player as the player gives answers to each question on each card.

14. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided within the console to allow a number of players to compete against each other, with the console maintaining separate scores for each player.

15. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console is battery powered and has means for allowing it to be used with mains power.

16. A game as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the console is solar powered and has means for allowing it to be used with mains power.

17. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console has a facility allowing a player to input and store personal information and display that information on a screen. - -

18. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console includes means for providing illumination for the cards and the console so that the game can be played in the dark.

19. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the console includes means for reproducing sounds.

20. A game as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the sound reproducing means is a loudspeaker.

21. A game as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the sound reproducing means is an earphone/headphone socket.