System for providing entertainment and enhancing human relationships

• US 6,715,762 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2000
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jo Ann F. Simmons
• Original Assignee: Jo Ann F. Simmons
• Inventors: Simmons, Jo Ann F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pierce, William M.
• Application Number:
  US09/735,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20010042962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 273/236, 273/242, 273/272, 273/292, 273/148.R, 273/429, 273/430, 273/431
• US Class Current: 273/429
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/04 Card games combined with other games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/1068 Sandglasses
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/18 Question-and-answer games

Abstract

A method or system by which two or more people can improve communication, understanding and/or relationships. The persons engage in a game or other activity where there are triggering events, such as completing a hand of a game of cards, or expiration of a time period. When there is a triggering event, one person selects an item of information at random (e.g. by drawing a card from a stack of information cards). The person reads the information and expresses a thought relating to the same. The other participants are then also able to comment. If this discussion becomes objectionable in some way, one of the participants can activate a “defuser” to either divert the line of discussion or terminate the discussion, after which the activity phase (e.g. a card game, a counseling session, etc.) is continued.

Claims

1. An improved method of participating in a game involving two or more persons by combining said game with a communication activity, where the game has triggering events which start communication phases of the communication activity, said method comprising:

a) providing an operating format of rules for playing the game, identifying events in the game that are triggering events and establishing procedures for the communication activity;

b) providing an information source having a plurality of items of information which are capable of stimulating or eliciting comment, opinions, or perception, with said procedures for the communication activity specifying that the comment, opinions, or perceptions do not require a response or answer which is deemed to be correct or incorrect, or be a right or wrong response or answer;

c) said persons beginning to participate as participants in said game by taking part in the game;

d) upon occurrence of a triggering event in the game, initiating a communication phase of the communication activity by providing to at least one participant one of said items of information;

e) as a part of the communication phase said at least one participant or another participant expressing a thought or thoughts related to, generated by, stimulated by, and/or suggested by, the item of information with the expressing of the thought or thoughts being done so as not to be deemed correct or incorrect;

f) also as part of the communication phase, optionally providing an opportunity for comment by one or more additional participant or participants to be able to make a further expression or expressions of a thought or thoughts related to or suggested by the thought or thoughts of said at least one participant or another participant or participants and/or by the item of information provided, with a requirement of no assertion or conclusion being made of correctness or merit of comments or expressions of another;

g) in situations where one of the participants is expressing a judgment of the comments or expressions as being right or wrong, or correct or incorrect, initiating a defusion or diversion phase to redirect or terminate the communication phase;

h) returning to the game by the participants again participating in said game after said communication phase.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the items of information are selected at least in part in a random manner.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the items of information comprise at least in part information on one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, information related to the quotations, statistics, fascinating facts, idioms, origin of idioms, superstitions, origins of superstitions, opinions, opinion poll results, oxymorons, ads or headlines, ridiculous ads or headlines, historical facts, historical trivia, news trivia, word origins, information on customs, living modes, or activities of other cultures, cultures of other times, hypothetical occurrences or situations, and/or other items of information to initiate discussion.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said items of information are provided in one or more of the following ways, namely, printed material or cards, audio outputs, visual displays, electronic media, or internet participation.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the items of information comprise at least in part information on one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, information related to the quotations, statistics, fascinating facts, idioms, origin of idioms, superstitions, origins of superstitions, opinions, opinion poll results, oxymorons, ads or headlines, ridiculous ads or headlines, historical facts, historical trivia, news trivia, word origins, information on customs, living modes, or activities of other cultures, cultures of other times, hypothetical occurrences or situations, and/or other items of information to initiate discussion.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein said information items are provided in one or more of the following ways, namely, printed material or cards, audio outputs, visual displays, electronic media, and/or internet participation.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, comprising timing periods and/or timing devices for limiting or monitoring timing of discussion phase occurrences.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the items of information comprise at least in part one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, and/or information relating to the quotations.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further providing timing periods and/or timing devices for limiting or monitoring timing of discussion phase occurrences.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diversion or defusion phase is implemented by activating a diversion or defusion device which provides a message or impression at least in part relating to one or more of the following, namely, an antagonistic or argumentative mood, a judicial or decision making impression, a commentary of evaluating impression, a communication of some displeasure or lack of approval of a situation.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the defusion device comprises one or more of the following devices, namely a device representing or simulating a grumpy person, a representation or configuration of a judicial person, a device which can be manipulated to cause a display or representation of a comment or evaluation and/or an animal-like representation or configuration communicating some displeasure or lack of approval of a situation.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the items of information comprise at least in part one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, and/or information relating to the quotations.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the items of information are selected at least in part in a random manner.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein progress of events in the game or game-like activity and the events in the communication activity are substantially unrelated, in that in accordance with the operating format, events of the communication activity do affect the game or game-like activity.