Electronic Game Device and Method of Using the Same

• US 20100184499A1
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brian M. Yu, Daniel Stelung, Darin Marshal Barri, Ginkel E. Ernst, Janice E. Ritter, Jorge Castro Sanchez, Luis Ruiz, Robert John Grzesek, Tadd L. Callies
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Yu, Daniel Stelung, Darin Marshal Barri, Ginkel E. Ernst, Janice E. Ritter, Jorge Castro Sanchez, Luis Ruiz, Robert John Grzesek, Tadd L. Callies
• Inventors: Stelung, Daniel, Grzesek, Robert John, Barri, Darin Marshal, Callies, Tadd L., Sanchez, Jorge Castro, Ginkel, E. Ernst, Yu, Brian M., Ritter, Janice E., Ruiz, Luis
• Application Number:
  US12/533,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20100184499A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 Quiz

Abstract

An electronic question and answer game device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing that has several side walls or surfaces. A display screen is disposed on one of the sides. The display screen is configured to present a question to the user of the electronic device. The electronic game device includes several mechanisms that vary the methods in which a user can play the game.

Claims

1. An electronic device for playing a game, comprising:

a housing, the housing having a plurality of panels, one of the plurality of the panels of the housing being configured to receive light from a light source, the light emitting panel including a light incidence face, a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface including a diffusion pattern, the housing being configured to generate a question and a plurality of answers, each of the answers being associated with a different input;

a light emitting device, the light emitting device being disposed proximate to the light incidence face of the light emitting panel and configured to supply light thereto, a portion of the light engaging the diffusion pattern and exiting the light emitting panel through the second surface; and

an input mechanism, the input mechanism being configured to be activated by a user in response to the question to select one of the plurality of the answers, wherein the light emitted through the light emitting panel is associated with one of the plurality of the answers.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the diffusion pattern includes a plurality of deformities.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the each of the plurality of deformities is a recess formed in the first surface of the light emitting panel.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of deformities includes dimples formed in the first surface of the light emitting panel.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting panel includes a distal end opposite to the light incidence face, and a reference line, the reference line extending from the light incidence face to the distal end, some of the plurality of deformities being disposed in a first area proximate to the light incidence face and some of the plurality of deformities being disposed in a second area proximate to the distal end.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein a density of the deformities in the first area is different than a density of the deformities in the second area.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the density of deformities in the first area is less than the density of deformities in the second area.

8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein a rate at which the plurality of deformities covers the first surface varies along the reference line from the light incidence face to the distal end.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the rate increases along the reference line from the light incidence face toward the distal end.

10. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the deformities in the first area have more space between adjacent deformities in the first area than the deformities in the second area have between adjacent deformities in the second area.

11. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the deformities in the second area are larger than the deformities in the first area.

12. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the deformities in the second area are deeper than the deformities in the first area.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the light emitting panel includes a first portion with deformities formed therein and a second portion without any deformities.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the first surface is located proximate to the light incidence face.

15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting panel includes a notch formed therein, and the light emitting device is disposed within the notch.

16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device is a first light emitting device, the first light emitting device being disposed proximate to a first corner of the light emitting panel, the first light emitting device being configured to output light of a first color, and the electronic device further comprises:

a second light emitting device, the second light emitting device being disposed proximate to a second corner of the light emitting panel, the second light emitting device being configured to output light of a second color, the second color being different than the first color, the second color being associated with one of the plurality of answers and the first color being associated with another one of the plurality of answers.

17. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a frame, the frame being configured to retain the light emitting panel.