Compatibility game

• US 5,681,046 A
• Filed: 01/29/1996
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elliot C. Lawrence
• Original Assignee: Elliot C. Lawrence
• Inventors: Lawrence, Elliot C.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/593,078
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 273/430, 273/431, 273/459, 283/48.1, 283/49, 283/50
• US Class Current: 273/459
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00996 Board games available as video games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/34 promoting partner selection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00082 Racing games racing games characterised by figures moved by action of the player A63F9/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0478 concerning life sciences, e.g. biology, ecology, nutrition, health, medicine, psychology

Abstract

A compatibility game provides a series of questions in several categories relating to personal traits and characteristics, which a player may ask of two or more respondents. The player provides a numerical value for each response, in accordance with the degree to which that response agrees with the needs and desires of the player. The aggregate numerical response totals may be added and/or averaged to provide a relative ranking of compatibility between the player and each of the respondents. The present game is primarily intended for use between members of the opposite sex, with a player being of one sex (e.g., male) and the plural respondents being of the sex opposite the questioning player. While the game is primarily intended for entertainment purposes, it can serve as a way to "break the ice" at various gatherings, and for individuals to get to know more about one another and their common interests, or even provide some insight to the player as to potential partners. The game is well adapted for computer play, depending upon the specific program required for a given operating system and hardware, or alternatively may be played as a board game.

Claims

1. A method of playing a compatibility game adapted to provide an indication of compatibility between a questioning player and a plurality of respondents, said method comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a plurality of questions relating to the personal traits, characteristics, and other features and attributes of the respondents;

(b) having the questioning player question each of the respondents alternatingly in turn, in accordance with the plurality of questions provided;

(c) having the player assign a numerical value for each of the responses provided for each of the questions by each of the respondents, and;

(d) rating the respondents in accordance with the numerical values assigned to each of the responses, to determine the relative compatibility of each of the respondents to the questioning player.

2. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 1, including the step of:

providing a scoring sheet having a plurality of playing paths each respectively corresponding with one of the respondents, with the scoring sheet further having a column having a plurality of questions thereon and disposed parallel to the plurality of playing paths.

3. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 2, including the step of:

providing the scoring sheet and question column in the form of an interactive computer generated display.

4. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 3, including the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of icons each representing one of the respondents, and;

(b) advancing each of the icons along its respective one of the plurality of playing paths in accordance with the relative numerical values assigned to the corresponding respondent.

5. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 2, including the step of:

providing the scoring sheet and question column in the form of a game board.

6. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 5, including the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of player position markers each representing one of the respondents, and;

(b) advancing each of the player position markers along its respective one of the plurality of playing paths in accordance with the relative numerical values assigned to the corresponding respondent.

7. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 1, including the step of:

providing a compatibility comparison means for comparing the ratings resulting from the relative numerical values assigned to each of the respondents.

8. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 7, including the step of:

providing the compatibility comparison means in the form of an interactive computer generated display.

9. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 7, including the step of:

providing the compatibility comparison means in the form of a chart having comparative compatibility areas displayed thereon.

10. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 1, including the step of:

providing higher numerical values for responses reflecting a greater degree of compatibility between the player and each of the respondents, and providing lower numerical values for responses reflecting a lesser degree of compatibility between the player and each of the respondents.

11. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 10, including the step of:

providing numerical values on a scale from ten points for the greatest compatibility, to zero points for no compatibility between the questioning player and each of the respondents.

12. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 1, including the step of:

averaging the numerical values of each of the responses of each of the responders, to provide an average response value for each of the responders.

13. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 1, including the step of:

providing a plurality of different question subject areas.

14. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 13, including the step of:

grouping questions in each of the different subject areas, in accordance with a corresponding one of the subject areas.

15. The method of playing the compatibility game of claim 14, including the steps of:

(a) averaging the numerical values of each of the responses of each of the responders in each of the subject areas, and;

(b) averaging the average numerical values of each of the averages of the subject areas, to provide an average response value for each of the responders.