Interactive challenge game systems and methods
First Claim
1. A game play system for facilitating interactive play, the game play system comprising:
- a play structure having a plurality of predetermined paths extending from a first common location to a second common location, wherein at least a portion of a first predetermined path of the plurality of predetermined paths comprises a substantially enclosed path;
a plurality of discrete play media, each of the plurality of discrete play media comprising electronic identification information for identifying the respective discrete play media;
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 a plurality of controls that guide the plurality of discrete play media through one of the plurality of predetermined paths to the second common location, wherein at least one of the plurality of controls is configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the plurality of discrete play media from the first predetermined path to another predetermined path of the plurality of predetermined paths based on activation of the at least one game input device; and
at least one reader disposed at or proximate the second common location and configured to wirelessly read the electronic identification information to monitor an amount of the plurality of discrete play media that reaches the second common location within the play structure.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
158 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A game play system for facilitating interactive play, the game play system comprising:
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a play structure having a plurality of predetermined paths extending from a first common location to a second common location, wherein at least a portion of a first predetermined path of the plurality of predetermined paths comprises a substantially enclosed path; a plurality of discrete play media, each of the plurality of discrete play media comprising electronic identification information for identifying the respective discrete play media; 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 a plurality of controls that guide the plurality of discrete play media through one of the plurality of predetermined paths to the second common location, wherein at least one of the plurality of controls is configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the plurality of discrete play media from the first predetermined path to another predetermined path of the plurality of predetermined paths based on activation of the at least one game input device; and at least one reader disposed at or proximate the second common location and configured to wirelessly read the electronic identification information to monitor an amount of the plurality of discrete play media that reaches the second common location within the play structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of competitive game play for play participants, the method comprising:
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receiving substantially simultaneous access by at least a first play participant and a second play participant to a play system, wherein the play system comprises; at least a first game input and a second game input; a plurality of discrete play media; and at least one desired destination for the discrete play media; receiving a first control signal from the first game input to affect the transport of a first portion of the plurality of discrete play media through a first predetermined path of a first plurality of predetermined paths of the play system to the at least one desired destination; receiving a second control signal from the second game input to affect the transport of a second portion of the plurality of discrete play media through a second predetermined path of a second plurality of predetermined paths of the play system to the at least one desired destination; and determining a success of the first play participant based on an amount of the first portion of the plurality of discrete play media transported to the at least one desired destination and a success of the second play participant based on an amount of the second portion of the plurality of discrete play media transported to the at least one desired destination, said determining comprising wirelessly reading electronic identification information associated with each of the first and second portions of the plurality of discrete play media. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of competitive game play for play participants, the method comprising:
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accessing a play system, wherein the play system comprises; a plurality of discrete play media, each of the plurality of discrete play media comprising identification information; and at least one game input configured to enable a plurality of players to substantially simultaneously selectively control transport of the plurality of discrete play media through at least one of a plurality of preconfigured paths of the play structure to at least one desired destination; 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; electronically reading the identification information from each of the plurality of discrete play media at or near the at least one desired destination; and associating, based on said electronically reading, a first amount of a first portion of the plurality of discrete play media with a first player of the plurality of players; and associating, based on said electronically reading, a second amount of a second portion of the plurality of discrete play media with a second player of the plurality of players. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification