Interactive challenge game systems and methods

• US 20060229134A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: Creative Kingdoms LLC (Great Wolf Resorts Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Briggs, Rick A., Weston, Denise Chapman, Barney, Jonathan A., Frantz, Edward J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,524,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/128
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/284 with a plurality of gutters, e.g. parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0087 with means for producing an air current
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/022 Pachinko
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/2472 Projecting devices with actuating mechanisms, e.g. triggers, not being connected to the playfield
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/26 electric or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/265 using a magnet for movement of the ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/307 with a score counter
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/3622 Specially shaped rolling boards for the balls, e.g. ball tracks
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 33/00 Devices allowing competitions between several persons, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 31/02 Screw-spindle mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys

Abstract

A method of competitive game play is provided utilizing a plurality of balls or other discrete play media. Balls may be tagged or otherwise identified with a differentiating color, size, weight, printed code or other identification/tracking means, as desired. The game is configured such that individual play participants or groups of play participants (e.g., boys vs. girls) can effectively compete with other players or groups of players within the same game based on interactions with various game inputs distributed throughout the game system. The game inputs advantageously enable players to selectively control or direct ball movement and/or other play media movement to various desired collection areas, scoring areas, targets and/or the like. Play participants competitively play and interact with the gaming system and/or with one another to achieve desired goals and/or produce desired effects.

Claims

1. A game play system for facilitating interactive play, the game play system comprising:

a play structure having a plurality of predetermined paths;

a plurality of discrete play media; and

at least one game input device in communication with the play structure, whereby the at least one game input device enables at least one play participant to selectively activate controls that transport the plurality of discrete play media through at least one of the plurality of predetermined paths to at least one desired destination.

2. The game play system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete play media includes at least one of balls, cubes, plates, flying discs, tubes, and cones.

3. The game play system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of discrete play media is constructed from at least one of plastic, rubber, and foam.

4. The game play system of claim 1, wherein the at least one game input device includes at least one computer-controlled input.

5. The game play system of claim 1, wherein the at least one game input device includes at least one mechanical input.

6. The game play system of claim 1, further comprising at least one identification system to correlate at least one of the plurality of discrete play media with the at least one play participant.

7. The game play system of claim 6, further comprising an electronic scoring system configured to monitor the progress of the at least one play participant in transporting the plurality of discrete play media to the at least one desired destination.

8. The game play system of claim 6, wherein the at least one identification system is configured to differentiate at least one physical property of the plurality of discrete play media.

9. The game play system of claim 8, wherein the at least one physical property of the plurality of discrete play media includes at least one of color, pattern, design, size, weight, and shape.

10. The game play system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete play media is at least partially computer-generated.

11. The game play system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the predetermined paths comprises at least one of tracks, magnets, runnels, channels and conduits.

12. The game play system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the predetermined paths is configured to utilize gravity or force exertion to transport the plurality of discrete play media.

13. A method of competitive game play for play participants, the method comprising:

receiving substantially simultaneous access by a plurality of play participants to a play system, wherein the play system comprises;

at least one game input;

a plurality of discrete play media; and

at least one desired destination for the discrete play media;

receiving at least one control signal from the at least one game input to affect the transport of the plurality of discrete play media through at least one predetermined path of the play system to the at least one desired destination; and

determining a success of the play participants based on the transport of the plurality of discrete play media to the at least one desired destination.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the success of the play participants is based at least on processing tracking information of the plurality of discrete play media.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the success of the play participants is based at least on differentiating at least one of a color, pattern, design, shape, size, and weight of the plurality of discrete play media.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining at least one winning play participant and presenting the at least one winning play participant with a reward.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying on a visible display the determined success of the play participants in transporting the plurality of discrete play media to the desired destination.

18. A method of competitive game play for play participants, the method comprising:

accessing a play system, wherein the play system comprises;

a plurality of discrete play media; and

at least one game input configured to enable players to substantially simultaneously selectively control transport of the plurality of discrete play media through the play structure to at least one desired destination; and

utilizing the at least one game input to selectively control the transport of the plurality of discrete play media to the at least one desired destination.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one game input comprises a computer-controlled input.

20. A method of competitive game play comprising providing a plurality of discrete play media identified with at least one of a differentiating color, size, weight, and printed code, the game being configured such that play participants compete with each other within the same game based on interactions with various game inputs distributed throughout the game system, and whereby the game inputs enable the play participants to selectively control or direct movement of the plurality of discrete play media to various desired destinations to produce at least one effect.