Apparatus And Methods For Organizing And Playing A Game

• US 20120013075A1
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rekon LLC
• Original Assignee: Ward Kraft, Inc. (W/K Holding Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Kraft, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,777,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/447
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0247 Bombing or dropping games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0252 Shooting devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/30 Capturing games for grabbing or trapping objects, e.g. fishing games

Abstract

Systems and methods of organizing and conducting games are set forth herein. One method of organizing and conducting a game comprises steps of arranging a plurality of contestants within a predefined adventurous area, and providing a plurality of items, each item having a distinct identifying characteristic. An ultralight with a programmable ejection system launches the plurality of items into the adventurous area through the air according to a predetermined routine. The contestants are allowed to search for and collect the items launched by the ultralight within the adventurous area before the game ends. Means are provided for correlating the identifying characteristic of each item to a prize, and each contestant is allowed to retain the prize correlating to the identifying characteristic of the item that was collected by the contestant.

Claims

1. A method of organizing and conducting a game, the method comprising the steps of:

a) arranging a plurality of contestants within a predefined adventurous area;

b) providing a plurality of items, each item having a distinct identifying characteristic;

c) providing an ultralight with a programmable ejection system for launching the plurality of items through the air into the adventurous area according to a predetermined routine;

d) allowing the contestants to search for and collect the items within the adventurous area until an end of the game;

e) providing means for correlating the identifying characteristic of each item to a prize; and

f) allowing each contestant to retain the prize correlating to the identifying characteristic of the item collected by the contestant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined routine defines a course of flight for the ultralight by randomly selecting one of a plurality of designated flight paths.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the programmable ejection system is programmed to launch the items into the adventurous area at predetermined intervals while the ultralight follows the defined course of flight.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the programmable ejection system is programmed to launch the items into the adventurous area at random intervals while the ultralight follows the defined course of flight.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the programmable ejection system is programmed to launch no more than a predefined portion of the items within a predefined section of the adventurous area.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the identifying characteristic of each item includes machine readable indicia.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the game is based on a theme; and

appearance of the items corresponds to the theme.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the theme is selected from the group consisting of a futuristic theme, a horse enthusiast theme, a car enthusiast theme, and a motorcycle enthusiastic theme.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

a duration of the game is defined by a starting point and an ending point; and

sponsors are arranged within the adventurous area for at least a part of the duration.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the contestants are equipped with global positioning systems that display the location of each contestant.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the global positioning systems further display the location of each item that is launched into the adventurous area.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the items are biodegradable;

the game is videotaped for the purpose of being televised; and

the predetermined routine defines a course of flight for the ultralight by selecting one of a plurality of designated flight paths.

13. A method of conducting a game using a plurality of items, each item having distinct machine readable indicia, the method comprising the steps of:

a) arranging a plurality of contestants within a predefined adventurous area;

b) launching the plurality of items through the air into the adventurous area using a launching apparatus;

c) allowing the contestants to search for and retrieve the items from the adventurous area until the end of the game;

d) correlating the machine readable indicia of each item to a corresponding prize; and

f) allowing each contestant to retain the prize correlating to the machine readable indicia of the item collected by the contestant.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the machine readable indicia comprises a bar code; and

a correlating unit having a bar code scanner correlates the machine readable indicia of each item to a corresponding prize.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the correlating unit comprises:

an input device having an opening for placement of the item being correlated to a prize; and

an automated dispenser that dispenses the prize corresponding to the machine readable indicia of the item.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the launching apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a cannon, an ultralight, and a motorized vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the launching apparatus can be programmed to launch the items into the adventurous area according to a predetermined routine.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

a duration of the game is defined by a starting point and an ending point; and

sponsors are arranged within the adventurous area for at least a part of the duration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the contestants are allowed to:

trade the items collected by the contestants with different items collected by other contestants; and

trade the items collected by the contestants with products offered by the sponsors.