Game apparatus, system and method for improving in-game communications during a game

• US 8,644,507 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Claudio Schapsis, Eitan Schapsis, Isaac Sayo Daniel, Michael Stibila, Olamide Daniel
• Original Assignee: Claudio Schapsis, Eitan Schapsis, Isaac Sayo Daniel, Michael Stibila, Olamide Daniel
• Inventors: Daniel, Isaac Sayo, Daniel, Olamide, Stibila, Michael, Schapsis, Claudio, Schapsis, Eitan
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAYOU, YONAS A
• Application Number:
  US12/378,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20100077536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,819 Days
• Field of Search: 380/251
• US Class Current: 380/251
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a game apparatus, system and method for improving in-game communications, more specifically a game apparatus, system and method for allowing players to dynamically transmit and receive communications in real-time from their coaches and/or other players on or off the field concerning game play instructions to be effected on the field or court. The system and method of the invention includes a headgear being provided to at least one player, where the headgear includes a game apparatus equipped with a circuit board, electrical wiring, battery, antennae, microprocessor, communications means and displaying means all enclosed within a housing that is affixed to the headgear. The communication means receives in real-time an encrypted signal containing a game play instruction intended for execution on the field during a game. The game apparatus'"'"' microprocessor decrypts the received encrypted signal containing the game play instruction intended for execution on the field during the game, which is converted to a viewable game play instruction that is displayed via displaying means on a visor, which is in mating engagement with said headgear. The visor may be permanently affixed to the headgear or detachable and may be color treated with a tint to enhance a player'"'"'s ability to view the converted viewable game play instruction displayed thereon.

Claims

1. A system of providing feedback comprising:

(a) a non-performance monitoring game apparatus affixed to a headgear, wherein the game apparatus includes an accelerometer, wherein said accelerometer provides feedback as game apparatus is equipped with an electronic circuit, electrical wiring, battery, antennae, microprocessor, communications means and displaying means all enclosed within a housing, wherein said communication means receives in real-time an encrypted signal containing a game play instruction that includes instructions and strategies intended for execution on the field during a game, wherein said microprocessor decrypts said received encrypted signal containing said game play instruction intended for execution on the field during said game, wherein said decrypted signal is converted to a viewable game play instruction that is displayed via said displaying means on a visor, which is in mating engagement with said headgear and wherein the game apparatus includes programmable buttons positioned on the game apparatus that are configured for controlling the display of the received game play instruction, providing feedback to the sender of the game play instruction or activating a location determining device configured for transmitting the player'"'"'s current geographical location information to other players within the group.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said game play instruction includes but is not limited to the following:

instructions, strategies and location information.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said displaying means includes but is not limited to PicoP ultra miniature projector, liquid crystal display or transparent light crystal display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said visor may be any one of the following:

permanently affixed to the headgear or detachable.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said visor may be color treated with a tint in any one of the following manner:

full or graduated.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said converted viewable game play instruction may be displayed in any one of the following formats:

text, sketch and visual.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus may be used for any one or more of the following games, which includes but is not limited to:

football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, paintball and basketball.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said headgear may include but is not limited to any one or more of the following:

a helmet, goggles, hat, mask, cap, hood and headband.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable buttons may be programmed to do any one or more of the following functions:

replay the converted viewable game play instruction, end the display, reject the converted viewable game play instruction, or accept the converted viewable game play instruction.

10. A method for improving in-game communications comprising:

(a) receiving in real-time an encrypted signal containing a game play instruction intended for execution on the field during a game, wherein said encrypted signal containing said game play instruction is received on a non-performance monitoring game apparatus affixed to a headgear as worn by a player; and

(b) decrypting said received encrypted signal containing said game play instruction that includes instructions and strategies intended for execution on the field during said game;

(c) converting the decrypted signal to a viewable game play instruction;

(d) displaying said viewable game play instruction via displaying means unto a visor, which is in mating engagement with a headgear; and

(e) providing programmable buttons positioned on the game apparatus that are configured for controlling the display of the received game play instruction, providing feedback to the sender of the game play instruction or activating a location determining device configured for transmitting the player'"'"'s current geographical location information to other players within the group.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said game play instruction includes but is not limited to the following:

instructions, strategies and location information.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said displaying means includes but is not limited to PicoP ultra miniature projector, liquid crystal display or transparent light crystal display.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said visor may be any one of the following:

permanently affixed to the headgear or detachable.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said visor may be tinted in any one of the following manner:

full or graduated.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said converted viewable game play instruction may be displayed in any one of the following formats:

text, sketch and visual.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said apparatus may be used for any one or more of the following games, which includes but is not limited to:

football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, paintball and basketball.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said headgear may include but is not limited to:

a helmet, goggles, hat, mask, cap, hood, or headband.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the programmable buttons may be programmed to do any one or more of the following functions:

replay the converted viewable game play instruction, end the display, reject the converted viewable game play instruction, or accept the converted viewable game play instruction.

19. An apparatus for improving communications during a sporting event comprising of:

(a) a non-performance monitoring game apparatus affixed to a headgear, wherein the game apparatus is equipped with an electronic circuit, electrical wiring, battery, antennae, microprocessor, communications means and displaying means all enclosed within a housing, wherein said electronic circuit comprises of a circuit board having a microprocessor positioned thereon and electrically connected by electrical wiring to said communication means;

(b) communication means to receive in real-time an encrypted signal containing a game play instruction that includes instructions and strategies intended for execution on the field during a game;

(c) microprocessor to decrypt said received encrypted signal containing said game play instruction intended for execution on the field during said game, and for converting said decrypted signal to a viewable game play instruction;

(d) displaying means for displaying said converted viewable game play instruction on a visor, which is in mating engagement with a headgear;

(e) battery for powering said game apparatus; and

(f) programmable buttons positioned on the game apparatus that are configured for controlling the display of the received game play instruction, providing feedback to the sender of the game play instruction or activating a location determining device configured for transmitting the player'"'"'s current geographical location information to other players within the group.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said game play instruction includes but is not limited to the following:

instructions, strategies and location information.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said displaying means includes but is not limited to:

PicoP ultra miniature projector, liquid crystal display or transparent light crystal display.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said converted viewable game play instruction may be displayed in any one of the following formats:

text, sketch and visual.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said game apparatus may be used for any one or more of the following games, which includes but is not limited to:

football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, paintball and basketball.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said headgear includes but is not limited to:

a helmet, goggles, hat, mask, cap, hood, or headband.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein game apparatus is formed from a semi-rigid material for preventing breakage, damage and injury to the wearer.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said game apparatus is capable of absorbing shock associated with any one or more of the following:

football tackle, kick, sliding into base, hit by a pitch, a bat, a batted ball, a clubbed ball and/or heavy body contact.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said programmable buttons may be programmed to do any one or more of the following functions:

replay the converted viewable game play instruction, end the display, reject the converted viewable game play instruction, or accept the converted viewable game play instruction.