Game-playing apparatus, and in particular game-playing apparatus incorporating electric shock means

• US 20070035094A1
• Filed: 11/27/2003
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paladone Products Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Blue Sky Designs Limited (Blue Sky Designs Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Elvidge, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,628,404 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2452 as a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2454 with LED
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2457 Display screens, e.g. monitors, video displays
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2472 Buzzer, beep or electric bell
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2494 Battery, e.g. dry cell
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/485 using a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0096 Reaction time games testing reaction time A61B5/162; reaction time training A63B69/0053; time registering, indicating or recording in connection with sports or games G07C1/22
• 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

Abstract

The apparatus (10) compares the ability of multiple players to perform a physical task, and administers a disincentive, for example a measured electric shock to one or more unsuccessful players. In an example, the apparatus comprises a number of handsets (14) with input devices (22). The apparatus compares reaction time of a plurality of players from a start signal, and administers an electric shock to the players with slower, or the slowest, of reaction times via the handset.

Claims

1. Game playing apparatus for a plurality of players, the apparatus comprising:

comparison means for comparing the performance of a task by a plurality of players and means for administering a disincentive to one or more of said players.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one contact element adapted to contact a player, wherein the disincentive is a tangible disincentive in the form of injury-free pain administered via the at least one contact element.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the disincentive is a measured electric shock.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one contact element is provided for each player.

5. Apparatus for playing a competitive game between two or more players, the apparatus comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to contact a player, a plurality of player input devices adapted to measure a player'"'"'s performance of a particular physical task, comparison means for comparing the relative performance of the players at said physical task, and means for administering a measured electric shock to at least one player determined to be less capable of the physical task.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the contact element comprises a handset to be held by a player.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the contact element includes an electrode for administering a measured electric shock to a player.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means for setting a voltage at which an electric shock is administered.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising means for enabling a user to set a voltage at which an electric shock is administered.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising means for automatically setting a voltage at which an electric shock is administered.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising a plurality of player input devices operable to be activated by a player and to provide a signal to the comparing means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the player input devices are provided on the contact elements.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the apparatus includes a signal output device for indicating a start signal to the players at a start time.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the signal output device comprises a display.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the signal output device comprises an audio device.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the apparatus is adapted to compare reaction time of the players, wherein reaction time is defined as the time elapsed between the start time and the activation of input devices corresponding to the players.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the apparatus is adapted to administer a measured electric shock to a player determined as having a longer reaction time than another player.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the apparatus is be adapted to determine the longest reaction time and administer a disincentive to the player having the longest reaction time via the corresponding contact element.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the apparatus is be adapted to determine the shortest reaction time and administer a disincentive to the remaining players via the corresponding contact elements.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 adapted to administer a disincentive to a plurality of players.

21. A method of improving reaction time of individuals, comprising the steps of indicating a start time to a plurality of individuals;

comparing reaction time of the individuals relative to one another, wherein reaction time is defined as the time elapsed between the start time and the activation of input devices corresponding to the individuals, and administering a measured electric shock to at least one individual determined to have a longer reaction time relative to at least one other individual.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the steps of determining the longest reaction time and administering a measured electric shock to the player having the longest reaction time.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the steps of determining the shortest reaction time and administering a measured electric shock to the remaining players.

24. The method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the step of administering a measured electric shock to a plurality of players.

25. The method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the step of setting a voltage at which an electric shock is administered.