Method for performing games

• US 6,878,062 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Original Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Inventors: Cedlöf, Peter, Torbjörnsen, Rune, Björklund, Magnus, Holmgren, Helena
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/114,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20030022717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 16- 20, 463 36- 37, 463 39- 42, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 178/19.01, 178/19.05, 345/156, 345/180, 345/181, 250/227.13
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A method for carrying out a game of the type comprising the steps of noting written information on a writing surface with the aid of a writing means. The writing surface is provided with a position-coding pattern and the writing means is a combined writing and reading unit, which continually reads its movement across the writing surface. The information is converted into digital signals and is sent via a communication system to a recipient which returns feedback on the received information. Games that can be performed by means of such a method are pools, lotto, betting and various other games comprising the use of pen and paper to be carried out.

Claims

1. A method for performing games based on a game participant'"'"'s positioning of a writing and reading unit on a writing surface, said method comprising:

detecting positioning of said writing and reading unit on the writing surface, said writing surface being on a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon, by repeatedly reading the position-coding pattern on said writing surface as said game participant positions said writing and reading unit on said writing surface, wherein said position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with said game-related graphics,

converting the information detected by the writing and reading unit into digital signals, and

transmitting the digitized information via a communication system to a recipient.

2. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the writing and reading unit detects its position on the writing surface and leaves written information, which is legible to a participant'"'"'s eye, on the writing surface.

3. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein feedback on the transmitted information is received from the recipient via the communication system.

4. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein said writing surface is a preprinted coupon for betting on the outcome of an event.

5. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 4, wherein money is bet on the outcome of the event.

6. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupon is completed and the information is stored in the writing and reading unit before the information is transmitted to the recipient.

7. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 4, wherein a confirmation is received from a betting company which arranges the game.

8. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 7, wherein the participant gives his acceptance of the confirmation from the betting company before the game is registered as being valid.

9. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game is performed as a party game or amusement game against one or more opponents and/or software.

10. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the writing and reading unit transmits the information continually to the receiving unit without intermediate storage.

11. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein a game operator provides blocks or pads with different games that can be used as entertainment by a participant as desired.

12. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the writing and reading unit transmits a unique identification signal which is utilized by the recipient for identifying the participant and/or the writing and reading unit.

14. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the writing and reading unit transmits the information to a local receiving unit which stores gaming software for automatic processing of the transmitted information.

15. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein the writing and reading unit transmits the information via a communication network to a remote receiving unit which stores gaming software for automatic processing of the transmitted information.

16. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 3, wherein said feedback comprises visual feedback on a display device.

17. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 3, wherein said feedback comprises an acoustic signal.

18. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position-coding pattern is unique for a set of gaming forms.

19. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recipient derives position-related data from the transmitted information, said position-related data being recorded in said reading of the position-coding pattern by the writing and reading unit.

20. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 19, wherein said recipient identifies said gaming form from said position-related data.

21. A method for performing games as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recipient associates a betting account with the writing and reading unit.

13. A method for performing games as claimed in 1, wherein the information between the participant and the recipient is transmitted in encrypted form by utilizing a unique identification signal of the writing and reading unit.

22. A system for performing games based on a game participant'"'"'s positioning of a writing and reading unit on a writing surface, said system comprising:

a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon, wherein said position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with said game-related graphics; and

a writing and reading unit, said writing and reading unit detecting its position on a writing surface of said pre-printed gaming form by repeatedly reading the position-coding pattern on said writing surface as said game participant positions said writing and reading unit on said writing surface.

23. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a network connection device, said network connection device transmitting a signal in a communication network based on positioning information generated by said writing and reading unit.

24. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a server, which processes positioning information generated by said writing and reading unit to control a game.

25. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 24, wherein said server is a gaming server associated with a gaming company, said system further comprising:

a central server, which communicates with said writing and reading device to direct said positioning information to said gaming server.

26. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 22, wherein said pre-printed gaming form and writing and reading unit are used by a first game participant and said system comprises an additional pre-printed gaming form and writing and reading unit for use by a second game participant, competing against said first game participant.

27. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 22, wherein said writing surface is a preprinted coupon for betting on the outcome of an event.

28. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 23, wherein said network connection device transmits said signal to a server that controls said game and receives feedback information from said server.

29. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a display device, said display device receiving the feedback information from said network connection device and displaying the feedback information to the game participant.

30. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 28, further comprising an acoustic signal generator, said acoustic signal generator receiving the feedback information from said network connection device and generating an acoustic signal that represents said feedback information.

31. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 22, wherein said writing and reading unit outputs a unique identification signal which is utilized by a recipient to identify the participant and/or the writing and reading unit.

32. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 31, wherein said unique identification signal associates said writing and reading unit with a betting account.

33. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 23, wherein said signal is transmitted in encrypted form using a unique identification signal associated with said writing and reading.

34. The system for performing games as claimed in claim 22, wherein positioning information generated by said writing and reading unit identifies a game being played by said participant.