Method for performing games

• US 20050233809A1
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul, Walmsley, Simon Robert, Lapstun, Jacqueline Anne
• Granted Patent: US 7,477,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0439 using geographical maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/186 Guessing games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/241 Touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/183 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2114 Ejecting transparent or white coloured liquids, e.g. processing liquids B41J2/211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0081 applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together by fusing, welding B42C9/0093
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3623 using a camera or code reader, e.g. for optical or magnetic codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00358 : Type of the scanned marks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00376 : Means for identifying a mark sheet or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00567 : Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 : attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 : on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 : in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 : using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

A method for carrying out a game of the type comprising the steps of noting written information on a surface with the aid of a writing means. The surface is provided with a position-coding pattern and the writing means is a combined writing and reading unit, which continually reads its movement across the surface. The information is converted into transmittable data and is sent via a communication system to a recipient which returns feedback on the received information.

Claims

1. A method for performing games based on a game participant'"'"'s positioning of an optically imaging pen on a surface, said method comprising:

detecting positioning of said pen on the surface, said surface being on a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon, by repeatedly reading the position-coding pattern on said surface as said game participant positions said pen on said surface, wherein said position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with said game-related graphics;

converting the information detected by the pen into transmittable data; and

transmitting the data via a communication system to a recipient.

2. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pen detects its position on the surface and leaves written information, which is legible to a participant'"'"'s eye, on the surface.

3. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein feedback on the transmitted data is received from the recipient via the communication system.

4. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game is performed as a party game or amusement game against one or more opponents and/or software.

5. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pen transmits the data continually to the communication system without intermediate storage.

6. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pen transmits a unique identifier which is utilized by the recipient for identifying the participant and/or the pen.

8. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pen transmits the data to a local receiving unit.

9. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 3, wherein said feedback comprises acoustic feedback.

10. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position-coding pattern is unique for a set of gaming forms.

11. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recipient derives position-related data from the transmitted data, said position-related data being recorded in said reading of the position-coding pattern by the pen.

7. A method for performing games as claimed in 1, wherein the data between the participant and the recipient is transmitted in encrypted form.

12. A system for performing games based on a game participant'"'"'s positioning of an optically imaging pen on a writing surface, said system comprising:

a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon, wherein said position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with said game-related graphics; and

an optically imaging pen, said pen detecting its position on a surface of said pre-printed gaming form by repeatedly reading the position-coding pattern on said writing surface as said game participant positions said pen on said surface.

13. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

a network connection device, said network connection device transmitting data in a communication network based on positioning information generated by said pen.

14. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

a server, which processes positioning information generated by said pen to control the game.

15. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 12, wherein said pre-printed gaming form and pen are used by a first game participant and said system comprises an additional pre-printed gaming form and pen for use by a second game participant, competing against said first game participant.

16. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 13, wherein said network connection device transmits said data to a server that controls said game and receives feedback information from said server.

17. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 16, further comprising an acoustic device, said acoustic device receiving the feedback information from said network connection device and providing acoustic feedback information to the game participant.

18. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 12, wherein said pen outputs a unique identifier which is utilized by a recipient to identify the participant and/or the pen.

19. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 13, wherein said data is transmitted in encrypted form.