U.S. patent application number 16/239860 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-04 for system and methods for generating a game board and playing games therewith.
The applicant listed for this patent is Word Winder, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen S. Bullock, David L. Hoyt, Graeme Thomson.
Application Number | 20190201781 16/239860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48430362 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190201781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bullock; Stephen S. ; et
al. |
July 4, 2019 |
System and Methods for Generating a Game Board and Playing Games
Therewith
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a system and methods for a
board game in which boards, each containing multiple letters are
combined in numerous combinations and configurations in order to
generate and play different board games on different game boards.
The object of the board game is for a player or team to place that
team's colored translucent chips or tokens on letters and adjacent
letters to create words, thereby creating a line or path of chips.
By using this line of chips and adding to the line at each turn,
the player or team can meet certain objectives, such as connecting
various locations or ends on the game board, or racing from one end
of the game board to the other, and other objectives as necessary
to play each game.
Inventors: |
Bullock; Stephen S.; (Chapel
Hill, NC) ; Hoyt; David L.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Thomson; Graeme; (Chicago, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Word Winder, Inc. |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48430362 |
Appl. No.: |
16/239860 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15645554 |
Jul 10, 2017 |
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16239860 |
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14860301 |
Sep 21, 2015 |
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15645554 |
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13679692 |
Nov 16, 2012 |
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14860301 |
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61561086 |
Nov 17, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/0023 20130101;
A63F 2003/00526 20130101; A63F 3/0052 20130101; A63F 2003/00258
20130101; A63F 2003/00359 20130101; A63F 2003/0428 20130101; A63F
3/00097 20130101; A63F 3/0421 20130101; A63F 3/0423 20130101; A63F
2003/00848 20130101; A63F 2003/00996 20130101; A63F 2003/00889
20130101; A63F 2003/0426 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/04 20060101
A63F003/04; A63F 3/00 20060101 A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. A board game that incorporates a game board for generating words
during game play, comprising a plurality of boards, each of said
plurality of boards comprising a plurality of letters, said game
board created by placing at least a first of said plurality of
boards adjacent to at least a second of said plurality of boards
such that some of said plurality of letters on said first board are
adjacent to some of the plurality of letters on said second board,
and such that words can be generated by connecting at least three
letters on the first board by using the plurality of letters on the
first board, words can be generated by connecting at least three
letters on the second board by using the plurality of letters on
the second board, and words can be generated by connecting at least
three letters on both the first and second boards by using the
plurality of letters on both the first and second boards, wherein
during the game play, a player places a plurality of translucent
colored chips on top of the plurality of letters on said first
board, said second board or both said first and said second boards
to create words and a path, said path being generated by the
connection of the words, with the objective of the board game to be
a path of translucent colored chips from one edge of the plurality
of boards to the opposite edge of the plurality of boards.
2. The board game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of letters are
arranged in a four by four array on each of said plurality of
boards.
3. The board game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of letters are
arranged in a four by four array on each side of said plurality of
boards.
4. The board game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of boards are
arranged in a four by four array for use during game play.
5. The board game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of boards are
arranged in a six by two array for use during game play.
6. The board game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of translucent
chips are a single color.
7. The board game of claim 6, wherein said plurality of translucent
chips are a single color for a particular player or team.
8. The board game of claim 1, wherein words are generated by a
plurality of players alternatively generating words by placing the
translucent colored chips on the plurality of boards.
9. A method of playing a board game that incorporates a game board
made up of a plurality of boards, each of the plurality of boards
containing a plurality of letters, each of said plurality of boards
configured to be placed adjacent to another of the plurality of
boards, such that at least one of the plurality of letters on a
first board of said plurality of boards is adjacent to at least one
of the plurality of letters on a second board, and such that words
can be generated by connecting at least three letters on the first
board by using the plurality of letters on the first board, words
can be generated by connecting at least three letters on the second
board by using the plurality of letters on the second board, and
words can be generated by connecting at least three letters on the
first and second boards by using the plurality of letters on both
the first and second boards, comprising the steps of: a) placing at
least two of said plurality of boards adjacent to each other; b)
allowing for a first player to place a first plurality of
translucent colored chips onto the plurality of letters on the
first board, the second board and the combination of the first and
second board, said first plurality of translucent chips creating a
first path; c) allowing for a second player to place a second
plurality of translucent colored chips onto the plurality of
letters on the first board, the second board and the combination of
the first and second board, said second plurality of translucent
colored chips being a different color than said first plurality of
translucent colored chips, said second plurality of translucent
chips creating a second path; d) alternating steps b and c until
either said first path or said second path continues unbroken from
one edge of said plurality of boards to the opposite edge of said
plurality of boards.
10. The method of playing a board game of claim 9, wherein said
plurality of letters are arranged in a four by four array on each
of said plurality of boards.
11. The method of playing a board game of claim 9, wherein said
plurality of letters are arranged in a four by four array on each
side of said plurality of boards.
12. The method of playing a board game of claim 9, wherein said
plurality of boards are arranged in a four by four array for use
during game play.
13. The method of playing a board game of claim 9, wherein said
plurality of boards are arranged in a six by two array for use
during game play.
14. The method of playing a board game of claim 9, wherein said
plurality of boards are arranged in a five by five array for use
during game play.
15. The method of playing a board game of claim 9, wherein said
plurality of translucent chips are a single color for a particular
player or team.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/645,554 filed on Jul. 10,
2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/860,301 filed on Sep. 21, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/679,692 filed Nov. 16, 2012, which
claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/561,086,
filed Nov. 17, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a board game in which
players create words by connecting letters, and in particular, the
present disclosure relates to board games in which multiple boards
are capable of being arranged in various combinations and
configurations to generate one of many different possible game
boards, each of the boards is imprinted with an array of different
letters to individualize each board, and the players or teams must
create words by connecting the letters on the game board.
[0003] The present disclosure relates to boards, each containing
multiple letters, to be combined in numerous combinations and
configurations in order to generate and play different board games
on different game boards in which the object is for a player or
team to place that team's chips or tokens on letters and adjacent
letters to create words, and thereby creating a line or path of
chips. By using this line of chips and adding new words at each
turn which will immediately or eventually form a longer line, the
team can meet certain objectives, such as connecting various
locations or ends on the game board, either from side to side, top
to bottom or connecting all four sides (in one connected) line, or
racing from one end of the game board to the other, and other
objectives as necessary to play each game.
[0004] The present disclosure further relates to boards and
integral or separate pieces that are located or can be placed on
the boards, such that the boards which each contain an array of
squares containing multiple letters to be combined in numerous
combinations and configurations, now contain certain impediments or
blocks to stop the progression of the line or path. The pieces can
be the size of one or multiple squares and can be printed or
otherwise made permanent on each board in random locations, or can
be separate pieces to be placed on the board before or during the
game play.
[0005] The present disclosure further relates to boards, each
containing multiple numbers, to be combined in numerous
combinations and configurations, usually in a mathematical formula
(such as 3+4=7) in order to generate and play different board games
on different game boards in which the object is for a player or
team to place that team's chips or tokens on numbers and adjacent
numbers to create mathematical equations, and thereby creating a
line or path of chips. By using this line of chips and adding new
mathematical equations at each turn which will immediately or
eventually form a longer line, the team can meet certain
objectives, such as connecting various locations or ends on the
game board, either from side to side, top to bottom or connecting
all four sides (in one connected) line, or racing from one end of
the game board to the other, and other objectives as necessary to
play each game.
[0006] The present disclosure further relates to a board or
computer game in which an array of letters is revealed on a
display, such as a game board, computer, mobile phone or computer
tablet, along with a clue or clues (including possibly the
direction of the resulting word), and a player is required to find
the answer word or words in the array. The words may be located
from one end of the array to the other, such as side to side or top
to bottom; or may be located anywhere in the array. The game may be
played in a timed play or untimed play. Further, the game play may
be similar to the game play described herein for board games in
which a player attempts to join top to bottom and side to side in
the least number of connected words. Points are established based
on the size of the words with a higher score for using fewer words
when joining the sides.
[0007] The present disclosure further relates to a board or
computer game or a printed puzzle in which an array of letters is
revealed on paper or on a display, such as a game board, computer,
mobile phone or computer tablet. On the same paper or display, a
representation of a phrase, sentence, song lyric or other set of
words shall be shown to the player. This representation shall
reveal the length of each word and the number of words in the
entire phrase. But the representation will not reveal all of the
actual letters used in the words of the phrase. A typical phrase
representation will show several letters from the phrase in correct
positions with the remaining letters being shown as underlines or
empty boxes (blanks). The goal of the game is to identify and fill
in the entire correct phrase. The letter array contains the entire
correct phrase so that each successive letter in the entire phrase,
excluding spaces and punctuation, touches the previous letter in
the entire phrase, as described herein. Players will use the letter
array to find the beginning, end and key letters within the phrase
and then build the complete phrase by identifying the remaining
array letters which fill in the blanks in the phrase.
[0008] The present disclosure further relates to a television or
Internet game show in which any of the game play described herein
is provided for the players. The show may have multiple segments,
in which the players play the same or different formats of
connecting words on an array or guessing the word on the array
based on clues provided. There can be a bonus round for the player
with the highest score at the end of the segments. Further, players
watching the show can also play along for prizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A board game is a game in which pieces are placed, moved or
removed from a pre-marked surface or board according to a set of
rules. From ancient burial sites, it is believed that the first
known board game Senet was played in Egypt as early as 3500 to 3000
BC. Since then, board games have been a part of most cultures and
societies throughout history. Board games are based on strategy and
usually the game ends when one player or team of players defeats
the other player or team based on the set of rules.
[0010] Board games are based on strategy and luck and can be
divided generally into a number of different categories, such as
word games, puzzles, theme games, role-playing and other
categories, although usually, board games overlap these categories.
However, the objective of almost all board games is based on
defeating the other player or team by accumulating more points or
the other team's tokens, or obtaining a winning position.
[0011] Of the more famous board games, Monopoly was first released
in its current version in the 1930s and Scrabble was first
distributed in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Another famous game,
Trivial Pursuit was first distributed in 1982. Each of these games
included a game board and pieces that could be placed on the board
or moved around the board during the play of the game.
[0012] In particular, the Scrabble game board contained an array of
boxes and letter tiles that allowed each player to accumulate
points by "laying down" the letter tiles to create words. The
number of points accumulated was dependant on the particular letter
tiles used to create the word and the location of the word on the
board.
[0013] Although many types of board games exist, it would be
advantageous to have a board game in which the game board shape and
size was made up of a configuration of a number of smaller boards,
each of the smaller boards having a different array of letters such
that numerous different game boards could be created using the same
smaller boards. Further, it would be advantageous to have a board
game in which the game board can be changed even for the same
configuration each time the game was played. The present disclosure
solves these and other disadvantages of current board games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is a board game containing a game
board made up of multiple different boards, each of the boards
individualized to contain an array of different letters, such that
when the individual boards are placed next to each other in a
configuration and then shuffled and placed next to each other in
the same configuration, different game boards are generated.
[0015] For example, the game board may be made up of an array of 16
four by four individual boards, with each of the individual boards
having a four by four array of 16 letters printed thereon, and none
of the individual boards having the same array of letters. When the
individual boards of the four by four array are picked up, shuffled
and placed into another four by four array configuration, the
resulting game board will be different than the previous game
board.
[0016] Once the game board is generated, depending on the board
game being played, various board games can be played according to
the rules set up for that board game. Most of the games include the
placement of chips on the letters of the boards to create words. In
the preferred embodiment, the chips are a different translucent
color so that each player or team uses one color translucent chips
to create their words. By using translucent chips, each player or
team can see the letters that have been covered and continue to use
those letters to create additional words and extend the path of
those chips.
[0017] In most of the games, the player can use any adjacent
letters to create a word so that a particular letter can be
combined with up to eight adjacent letters and that adjacent letter
can be combined with the seven remaining adjacent letters to
continue creating the word. In the preferred embodiment, the word
cannot use the same letter more than once, but the word can snake
around and back to create the word.
[0018] An objective of the present disclosure is to generate a game
board using 16 individual boards in a four by four array. The
objective is for each player or team taking turns to create a path
using their color translucent chips placed on the letters to create
a word, and to extend that path to create a line from one end of
the game board to the other before any other team creates a line
from one edge of the game board to the opposite edge with their
color chips.
[0019] An objective of the present disclosure is to generate a game
board using 12 individual boards in a four by four array in which
the four corner boards are removed. The objective is for each
player or team taking turns to create a path using their color
translucent chips placed on the letters to create a word, and to
extend that path to create a line from each of the four edges of
the game board to all of the other edges before any other team
creates a line from each of the four edges of the game board to the
other edges with their color chips.
[0020] Another objective of the present disclosure is to generate a
game board using 16 individual boards in a two by eight array. The
objective is for each player or team taking turns to create a path
using their color translucent chips placed on the letters to create
a word, and to extend that path to create a line from the top of
the game board to the bottom before any other team creates a
similar line from top to bottom.
[0021] Another objective of the present disclosure is to generate a
game board using 15 individual boards in a three by five array. The
objective is for each player or team taking turns to create a path
using their color translucent chips placed on the letters to create
a word, and to extend that path to create a line from the top of
the game board to the bottom before any other team creates a
similar line from top to bottom.
[0022] Another objective of the present disclosure is to generate a
game board using 16 individual boards in a four by four array. At
the beginning of the game, each player has a fixed number of chips
(i.e. 40). The objective is for each player or team taking turns to
review the game board for a period of time and determine the
longest word it can make from the letters on the game board. Once
determined, each player states the number of letters in the longest
word at the same time as the other players. The players with the
longest word are allowed to place their chips on those letters. To
the extent there are no chips placed on certain boards, the
uncovered boards are then lifted, shuffled and replaced on the four
by four array to generate a new board. The objective is to put down
a certain number of chips on the ever changing game board, for
example, 40 chips, before any other player has placed all 40 of
their chips.
[0023] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide each
of the novel games described herein in a virtual or simulated game
in which the boards are displayed on a monitor of a computer
screen, a handheld electronic game, a tablet, cellular telephone or
any other visual display. By providing the game board of the
present disclosure on a computer-based medium, the games can be
played by players in the same location or players located remotely
from each other by using a global communication network such as the
Internet. Further, the game play described herein can be used in
conjunction with various social networks, such as Facebook and/or
game websites, which allow players or subscribers to play games.
The game play of the present disclosure can also be provided to
players as an application and provided to players, for example, as
an iPhone application or a Google application.
[0024] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide each
of the novel games described herein in a game show format, such as
one shown on television or the Internet. In the game show,
participants play against each other by viewing a virtual or
simulated game in which the boards are displayed on a monitor or
other visual display. The participants obtain points for correct
answers or for connecting a path from one end of the array to the
other before the other player connects their line. Any of the games
described herein can be incorporated into one or more segments for
the players to score points. At the end of the segments, the
participant with the highest score can enter a bonus round, wherein
he or she plays a game against the clock for money or prizes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described
in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate
and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denote
like elements, and in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an individual board containing a four by
four array of letters in accordance with the preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a game board containing a four by four
array of individual boards in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a game board containing
chips placed on certain letters in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a game board containing
chips placed on certain letters in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a game board containing a four by four
array of individual boards in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a game board containing a four by four
array of individual boards containing chips placed on certain
letters in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a game board containing a four by four
array of individual boards containing chips placed on certain
letters in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a game board containing a four by four
array of individual boards containing chips placed on certain
letters in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates game boards containing various arrays of
individual boards in accordance with an alternative embodiment of
the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of a game board containing a
various array of individual boards containing chips placed on
certain letters in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a game board containing a
various array of individual boards containing chips placed on
certain letters in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates a game board that can be played on an
electronic device, the game board displaying a six by six array of
letters provided for an exemplary game in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 illustrates a game board that can be played on an
electronic device, the game board displaying a six by six array of
letters provided for another exemplary game in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 14 illustrates a game board that can be played on one
or more electronic devices by multiple players, the game board
displaying a sixteen by sixteen array of letters provided for an
exemplary game in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0040] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary computer system or network
architecture that may be used to implement the system and methods
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an individual board
12 containing letters 14 imprinted on the board 12. In the
preferred embodiment, the board 12 contains a four by four array of
letters, such that each board 12 contains 16 letters 14. The number
of letters 14 and the size of the array can be varied and still
fall within the scope of the present disclosure, such that the
array could be five by five with 25 letters 14, or three by five
with 15 letters. Further, each individual board 12 will have a
different array of letters 14 from the other boards 12 and can be
imprinted with the letters 14 on both sides.
[0042] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a game board 10
configured with 6 individual boards 12 placed in a four by four
array. With this game board 10 configuration, there are 16 letters
14 across each row and 16 letters 14 down each column, creating 256
letters 14. With this game board 10 configuration, a number of
different game boards 10 can be generated by simply rearranging the
location of the boards 12 in the game board 10 configuration.
Further, as described above, by printing different letters 14 on
each board 12, 16 different boards 12 (32 total) can be used to
generate many different four by four game boards 10 for playing the
same game with a different game board 10 each time.
[0043] Once a game board 10 has been created by placing the
individual boards 12 in a pattern as required by the rules of a
particular game, the game can be played. Further, most of the games
played using the individual boards 12 and the game board 10
(regardless of how the game board 10 is configured), incorporate
chips (see FIG. 3 for an example). In the preferred embodiment,
colored translucent chips are used to indicate both a player or
team and the letter 14 that has been used by that team.
[0044] To begin a particular game, the boards 12 are shuffled and
arranged in a pattern designed for the particular board game 10 to
be played. In the preferred embodiment, the board game 10 consists
of 16 boards 12 arranged in a four by four array. Each player or
team selects a set of colored chips. In the board game 10 of the
preferred embodiment, two to four players play individually or four
to eight players play in teams of two. The game begins by the roll
of a die (or any other determination) to decide will start the
game. After the first player or team finishes its turn, play can
continue to the left.
[0045] Each player or team takes a turn attempting to spell a
single word on the game board 10 by placing their colored chips on
the squares containing the printed letters 14. Each player can
announce the word being spelled as the chips are placed.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the game board 10 containing a two
by six array of letters 14. During player A's turn, player A would
announce GARNET and place six translucent chips 16 corresponding to
player A's color over the letters 14 "G" "A" "R" "N" "E" and "T".
The adjacent letters 14 can be to the right or left, above or
below, and diagonal to the previous letter 14. In FIG. 3, the "R"
and the "N" are adjacent diagonally.
[0047] In the preferred embodiment, words may be spelled in any
direction, from left to right, right to left, up or down,
diagonally, or any combination of these, as long as the square of
each letter 14 in the word is adjacent to or touching the square of
the word's very next letter 14. In the preferred embodiment, a
player may not use the same letter 14 more than once in the same
word, however, alternative embodiments may allow such usage.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows another portion of a game board 10 with a six
by four array. FIG. 4 shows how chips 16 can be laid down on the
game board 10 to create the two words ROMP and HINTED, which can be
combined to create a path or line for a particular player or team.
The "P" in ROMP sits below the "H" in Hinted to create two paths,
from the "P" in ROMP up to the "T" in HINTED, and from the "0" in
ROMP to the "D" in HINTED. As such, regardless of the beginning or
end of a word, the path may use other letters 14 to get from point
to point on the game board 10.
[0049] As stated above, a player may re-use letters 14 which were
covered previously by that player's colored chips 16, in order to
spell a new word. The player does not have to lay another chip 16
on top of any chip 16 placed on the game board 10. Instead, the
previous letter 14 is included as part of the word. However, a
player may not use another player's chip 16 to spell a word.
[0050] In team play, there can be two players per team. Play passes
back and forth between the teams with partners taking turns to make
the next word. Partners on a team share the same set of colored
chips 16. In the preferred embodiment, team members are not allowed
to help by pointing out words or direct play.
[0051] In the preferred game play, the boards 12 are shuffled and
arranged into the four by four configuration or pattern shown in
FIG. 5 in which each square is a board 12 and each board 12
contains a four by four array of letters 14. The object of the game
is to create a continuous winding path or line of same colored
chips 16 stretching from one edge of the game board 10 to the other
edge, either from side to side or from top to bottom. A player may
spell words anywhere on the game board 10 and any new word does not
have to touch any previous words, until the end of the game.
Players must play offensively by extending their own line, and also
play defensively by blocking the opponents' lines.
[0052] The winning player is the first player to create a
continuous, unbroken winding line of chips 16 stretching from one
edge of the game board 10 to the other edge, either side to side or
from top to bottom. As described above, a path or line is
continuous as long as the player's chips 16 are touching adjacent
chips 16 laterally, vertically, or diagonally.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows the first six plays of a game between two
players, a player using red chips (Red) 18 and a player using blue
chips (Blue) 20. First, Red spells JUMPING 22 and Blue spells RIDER
24. Red then spells EATS 26 and Blue spells SLIPPING 28. Next, Red
spells CANED 30 and Blue spells DRIP 32. FIG. 6 shows that a number
of lines or paths have been created by each player in both
offensive and defensive strategy. These paths may or may not be
used later in the game.
[0054] Each player's next three plays are shown in FIG. 7. The Red
player's line from left to right was cut off by the Blue player's
simple word NOR 34, at the right edge 36. After being cut off from
the right edge 36, the Red player then tried to impede Blue's
vertical line with the words DENTED 38 and TREAT 40. But the Blue
player successfully connected the Blue line through to the bottom
edge 42 with the pair of words GINS 44 and SET 46.
[0055] FIG. 8 shows the game board 10 after the Blue player made
the final moves and won the game. The yellow line 48 indicates
Blue's winning line from the top edge 50 of the game board 10 to
the bottom edge 42. The last few plays began with Red locking the
upper right corner 52 with TATERS 54. Next, Blue cut through Red's
line with DOGS 56. Red sealed one upper right gap with CENT 58,
however, Blue won the game by connecting through to the top edge 50
with the word YEARLY 60.
[0056] Other games, similar and different to the game described
above can be played using these boards 12 and the game board 10.
Various modifications can be made to the rules of the preferred
embodiment set forth above and still be covered by the scope of the
present disclosure. Further, a player can be handicapped by the
game play so that players of different ages or abilities can play
against each other with a level playing field. For example, in one
embodiment, an adult may be prohibited from using three letter
words to make their path while the child does not have that same
prohibition. In another embodiment, a ratio of turns can be
established such that, for example, the younger player may be
allowed two turns for each of the adult's turn, or the younger
player is allowed three turns for each of the adult's two
turns.
[0057] In an alternative game play using the boards 12 and game
board 10 of the present disclosure, the boards 12 are shuffled and
arranged in either a two by eight 62 or three by five 64 array as
shown in FIG. 9. For this game, of which the object is to race the
other player or team from the top edge 66 to the bottom edge 68,
the two by eight array 62 can be used for two player or team games,
while the three by five array 64 can be used for three player or
team games. Of course, other board 12 patterns or configurations
can be used.
[0058] As stated above, the object of the game is to create a
continuous winding line of the player's colored chips 16 starting
at the top edge 66 and extending continuously from the game board's
top edge 66 to its bottom edge 68. Each player's first word must
include at least one letter which is in the very top edge 66 row of
letters 14. After this first word, each subsequent word must touch
at least one letter 14 from one of the player's previous words.
[0059] This game allows for players to block the other player's
line. The winning player or team is the first player or team to
create a continuous, unbroken winding line of chips 16 starting at
the very top edge 66 and extending all the way to include a letter
14 from the very bottom edge 68 of letters 14.
[0060] FIG. 10 shows the alternative game play in which Blue spells
the word TRADE 70 using at least one letter "E" 72 in the top edge
66. Red then spells the word RAILS 74, with the letters "L" 76 and
"S" 78 in the top row 66. Blue then extends its line with the word
REARS 80 using the "R" 82 from TRADE 70 as the first letter in
REARS 80. Red then spells EGRETS 84 and cuts through Blue's line.
Next, Blue places its chips 16 to form the word RENEGADE 86 and Red
creates the word LUGERS 88.
[0061] FIG. 11 shows the ending moves of the alternative game. The
Red and Blue players have laid down a number of words creating the
game board shown in FIG. 11. The Blue player spells ALIGN 90 to
move its line to the game board's 10 center. Red then spells NOBS
92 to pull even with Blue. Blue closes off the board with the word
OPENS 94 almost cutting off Red completely, but Red lays down CROON
96 and cuts through Blue's line. Red can next play either DUDE 98
or GIN 100 to win, however, it is Blue's turn and Blue can play
RETIRE 102 to connect to the previous word OPENS 94 and win the
game.
[0062] In order to make the games more playable, the boards 12
contain the same frequency of letters as most words in the English
language, however, the boards have been configured for letters such
that there is an increase of frequency of "ING", "ED" and "ER
endings.
[0063] In the unlikely event of a tie, the tie breaker rule is that
the winner is whichever player or team has the most chips 16 on the
board at the end of the game.
[0064] The game play described above can be incorporated with a
clock that requires players or teams to create a word within a
limited amount of time and helps move the game along.
[0065] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a game
board using 16 individual boards in a four by four array is set up.
Any number of boards can be used for this game, however, the
preferred embodiment utilizes a four by four array of boards. At
the beginning of the game, the boards are set out and each player
or team reviews the game board for a period of time (i.e., one
minute) to determine the longest word the player or team can make
from the letters on the game board. Each player or team has a fixed
number of chips (i.e. 40), and the objective is for each player or
team to place all of the chips on the board.
[0066] When time expires, each player or team states the number
corresponding with the number of letters in the longest word that
they have determined from the game board. The player or team states
the number at the same time as the others. The players with the
highest number are allowed to place their chips on those letters.
Next, and to the extent there are no chips placed on a particular
board (of the 16 in this example), the uncovered boards are then
lifted, shuffled and replaced to again generate a four by four
array. The game continues in the same manner with the objective to
place all of the chips on the ever changing game board, before any
other player or team has placed all of their chips.
[0067] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a game
board is created using 16 individual boards shuffled and placed in
a four by four array for a game of solitaire. Any number of boards
can be used for this game, however, the preferred embodiment
utilizes a four by four array of boards. At the beginning of the
game, the boards are set out and the object is for one player to
create a continuous line of chips that touches at least one letter
on each of the 16 boards that make up the game board. The goal is
to complete the line using the least number of words possible.
Accordingly, the player may place a chip on the side of the game
board for each word used thereby keeping track of the number of
words needed to complete the line.
[0068] In yet another similar embodiment of the present disclosure,
a game board is created using 16 individual boards shuffled and
placed in a four by four array. Any number of boards can be used
for this game, however, the preferred embodiment utilizes a four by
four array of boards. Similar to the game of solitaire above, at
the beginning of the game, the boards are set out and the object is
for one player to create a continuous line of chips, however the
line must travel first from one side of the game board to the
other, and then, from the top of the game board to the bottom. The
second line must "break through" the first line without using any
letters from the first line, thus the break through. Again, the
goal is to complete the lines using the least number of words
possible. Accordingly, the player may place a chip on the side of
the game board for each word used thereby keeping track of the
number of words needed to complete the lines.
[0069] In another embodiment, the individual boards 12 can be
printed with designs taking up one or more of the letters 14 on the
array. These designs overlap or replace the letters 14 and serve to
force the player to "go around" the space to make the line or path.
These designs can be mountains, ponds, devils, etc. or just black
squares indicating that the square is not available to use for the
line or path. The designs can also be separate physical pieces that
can be placed or located on the boards 12 or on the game board 10.
Once placed or located (or if previously printed on the board 12)
the game board 10 now contains certain impediments or blocks to
stop the progression of a players line or path. The pieces can be
the size of one or more squares thereby taking up the space of one
or more letters and can be placed on the game board 10 before or
during the game play.
[0070] FIG. 12 shows an example of a separate blocking piece 120
that can be placed or located on a game board 10 along with other
separate blocking pieces 122, 124, 126, to create a game board 10
with various blocks. In this example, the four separate blocking
pieces 120, 122, 124 and 126 force the players to change the line
or path to go around the block. Using this example, a game of race,
around the game board 10 can be played. For example, in order to
win the game, a player has to start at one end 128, and generate a
path around the block and back to the same end. Any of the games
described herein can be played or modified using these or other
similar blocks.
[0071] In a similar embodiment, instead of a block, the boards 12
can be printed with wild symbols, so that a player can use that
particular wild symbol as any letter when creating the path or
line. Again, the wild symbols can be included on the board 12, by
printing, or incorporated as a separate piece placed prior to or
during game play.
[0072] Another embodiment provides for any of the game play
described herein, but using numbers instead of letters. In order to
create a path or line, the player must generate a mathematical
formula using the numbers in the array next to each other. For
example, if a 3 is adjacent to a 4 and a seven, the path may
include the 3, 4 and 7 in a equation (such as 3+4=7). Using
equations, the player or team places that team's chips or tokens on
numbers and adjacent numbers to create mathematical equations, and
thereby creating a line or path of chips. By using this line of
chips and adding new mathematical equations at each turn, the
player or team can form a line and connect various locations or
ends on the game board, as described herein, or race from one end
of the game board to the other, etc.
[0073] In yet another embodiment, a board or computer game is
provided in which an array of letters is revealed on a display to a
player or players. Such a display can be associated with a game
board, computer, mobile phone or computer tablet. The various games
described herein or variations on those games can be played and
displayed.
[0074] In one non-limiting example, the display shows a six by six
array of letters and a clue is provided for the player for each
word to be found on the array along with an arrow indicating the
direction that the resulting word(s) must travel. For example, the
clue might be "SISTINE" with an arrow to the right with a result
containing six letters. If the player finds the word "CHAPEL" by
depressing or selecting the correct letters starting on the left
side and moving across and ending on the right side, an indication
will show that the answer is correct. There may be four (or more or
less) hints or clues and resulting answers before the player
completes this round.
[0075] In an alternative embodiment, one clue is provided for all
the answers. For example, the clue might be for eight letter words
that are mammals and the arrows are pointing down. The player must
find four mammals with the word starting at the top and ending at
the bottom. Again, the timer starts and keeps track of how long it
takes for the player to find all four mammals. The score is greater
for shorter times to complete the array. Bonuses can be given to
the player depending on the time; for example, every minute a
multiplication bonus is reduced. Further, for touch screen
displays, the player can enter the results by touching the letter
on the array and the game will indicate the selection by changing
colors, etc.
[0076] In yet another embodiment for a similar device, the player
is provided a four by four array and one clue. The object is to
find a single word that answers the clue and also touches all four
corners of the array in the shortest amount of time.
[0077] In yet another embodiment for a similar device, the player
is provided a five by ten array and a representation of a phrase or
sentence with a few letters filled in but all of the remaining
letters shown as underlines or boxes (blanks). The object is
identify all of the unknown letters in the phrase (blanks) by
touching the letters on the array, thereby forming a continuous
connected line of letters which is all of the letters in the
phrase, excluding punctuation and spaces, in correct
beginning-to-end order.
[0078] These four exemplary games can be played on a device or as a
board game, in segments or levels such that the player has to
succeed at one level to be allowed to try the next level. Further,
each of these games, either combined or separately, can be played
against other players by sharing the device or remotely. Points can
also be accumulated at each level and the final score can be
compared to other players during a specific time period (one day,
etc.) or at the same time.
[0079] In yet another embodiment, a game play similar to the game
play described above for board games can be played in which a
player attempts to join the top to bottom and the left and right
side in the least number of connected words. Points can be
established based on the size of the words used to make the
connection and/or a greater score for using fewer words to connect
the ends.
[0080] In yet another embodiment, a game play is provided in which,
for example, a six by six array of letters is provided and the
player must find a certain number of words have the required number
of letters. For example, the player is timed to find five words
containing three letters, four words containing four letters, three
words containing five letters, and two words containing six
letters. The player score is based on time to locate all the words,
with the objective to complete the game in the shortest amount of
time. Bonuses, or deductions of time, can be obtained for seven or
more letter words (for example, subtract 30 seconds for each seven
letter word), using all the words in the grid (for example,
subtract 1 minute) and finding double words, a word in both
directions (for example, subtract 20 seconds), among others.
Deductions, or additions of time, can be incorporated for using
hints (for example, add 20 seconds). Of course, numerous scoring
methods can be used to achieve similar results.
[0081] In another embodiment, the games described herein can be
part of a television or Internet game show. For example, each of
the segments or levels detailed above can be a separate segment in
which players compete against each other for points. The segments
are the same or different formats of connecting words on an array
or guessing the word on the array based on clues provided. The
players must select the correct word or words to complete the game
board. The player with the highest score after the three segments
is allowed to play the bonus round, which can be the attempt to
connect the top and bottom and side to side in the least amount of
words. Further, players watching the show can also play along for
prizes.
[0082] Each of the novel game boards and game play described herein
can be played using the physical game board. Further, each of the
games can be played by simulating the boards and game boards on a
display, such as a computer screen, a handheld electronic game, a
tablet, a cellular telephone, such as a smart phone, or any other
visual display that is controlled by a microprocessor-based
system.
[0083] The rules of the games described herein can be played in a
similar manner using a microprocessor-based system and the games
can be played by players in the same physical location or by
players located remotely from each other. Such game play is
understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by using a
global communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.
The game play can be provided to players using various social
networks, such as Facebook, so that players can play against each
other without the need for a physical board or being in the same
location.
[0084] Further, the game play can be provided at or by websites
that provide computer games and game play to subscribers of those
website. In doing so, game statistics can be generated and recorded
for individuals and team play. The game play of the present
disclosure can also be provided to players as an application
download to a computer tablet or smart phone, for example, as an
iPhone application or a Google application.
[0085] Thus in some embodiments, the game board 10 may be
electronic. With reference to FIG. 12, for example, an electronic
game board 10 is shown for use on a computer, a tablet, a mobile
phone, a microprocessor-based system, or other electronic device.
Some of these electronic devices may in fact have touch-screens.
Moreover, it should be understood that some or many of the
principles and features described above may be equally applicable
to game boards 10 that are electronic. For instance, similar to the
various embodiments described above, the game board 10 shown in
FIG. 12 may provide a variety of games for one or more players.
Conversely, some or many of the principles and features described
below may be equally applicable to the game boards 10 described
above.
[0086] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the game board
10 challenges a player to locate words hidden within a six by six
array of letters 14. The player may tap each letter 14 of a
continuously winding word in sequence to identify that word. In the
alternative, the player may drag a pointer, stylus, finger, or
other marker from letter 14 to letter 14 without having to
individually tap each letter 14.
[0087] More specifically, at least one indicator 130 may inform a
user of requirements for the types of words that must be located.
Here, for example, four indicators 130 inform the player to locate
one six-letter word extending generally left to right, one
six-letter word extending generally top to bottom, one six-letter
word extending generally right to left, and one six-letter word
extending generally bottom to top. While all of the indicators 130
are shown to require six-letter words here, this is merely
exemplary. Depending on the difficulty settings, the skill of the
player, the "round," or some combination thereof, the game board 10
may challenge the player to find words of varying length.
[0088] In some embodiments, a clue 132 may be provided near each
indicator 130. The exemplary clues 132 shown here correspond,
respectively, to the name of a desert, the capital of Ireland, a
gaseous planet, and the name of an American actor. Further, a box
134 underneath each indicator 130 may show the correct word after
the player has located the word.
[0089] A number of points 136 awarded for each correct word located
may also be shown. For instance, the player was awarded 2,400
points for locating "Sahara," 3,000 points for locating "Dublin,"
and "2,400 points for locating "Uranus." The point scheme may be
based on the difficulty of locating a particular hidden word or an
amount of time elapsed 138 since the game began, for example. In
other words, the player may receive more points for locating words
quickly. A multiplier 140 corresponding to a "Time Bonus" may
inform the player of the benefit of finding words timely. In this
example, one minute and eight seconds have elapsed, which
corresponds to a multiplier 140 of "3.times.." Thus assuming one
hundred points per letter per word, the player would only receive
1,800 points based on the amount of time that has elapsed 138 for
correctly identifying "Bogart." As the player taps each letter 14
of a word, the game board 10 may display a sequence 142 of letters
that the player has selected. If the sequence 142 is incorrect
(e.g., if the player erroneously selected an incorrect letter or
one out of order), the player may simply tap a "clear" button 144
to begin identifying the word again. As with many embodiments of
the present disclosure, the game board 10 may notify the player
once the player has correctly identified a word, when the player
has incorrectly identified a word, or when the word does not
exist.
[0090] The game board 10 may also display a player profile 146. The
player profile 146 may be part of a larger player profile (not
shown) and may indicate, for example, how many points the player
has accumulated in a particular game and a name of the current
player. The game board 10 may also provide a hint button 148 for
players. The hint button 148 may give players a hint for locating a
word. The hint may be substantive, such as providing the first and
last letters of a word, for instance. Or the hint may be visual,
such as highlighting several letters 14 of a word on the game board
10, for example. Use of the hint button 148 may detrimentally
impact the player's score, such as by adding time or reducing
points. Moreover, the game board 10 may provide different levels of
hints.
[0091] The game board 10 may further provide a help button 150, a
dictionary button 152, a pause/menu button 154, and an exit button
156 in some embodiments. The help button 150 may provide players
with further information on the game, such as directions on how to
play, for example. The dictionary button 152 may allow players to
verify words in a dictionary, which depending on the electronic
device may be stored locally or may be stored remotely. The
pause/menu button 154 may pause the current game while displaying a
menu for the player. In one embodiment, the letters 14 of the game
board 10 may be masked when the pause/menu button 154 is selected
so that a player may not stop the elapsed time 138 while continuing
to locate words. Moreover, the exit button 156 may allow players to
exit out of the game board 10 and return to an interface displayed
by the electronic device.
[0092] Where the game board 10 is played on electronic devices
having a screen, it should be understood that the game board 10 may
operate similarly to that described above. For example, whereas a
player may place a colored chip 16 on a letter 14 on a physical
game board 10, the screen of an electronic device may display a
virtual colored chip 16 on the letters 14 of a word that the player
has correctly identified.
[0093] As the player interacts with the game board 10, visual aids
may be displayed on the screen to assist the player. By way of
example, circles 158 may be displayed around letters 14 as the
player selects the letters 14 for a particular word. In FIG. 12,
the player has currently selected B-O-G-A-R. As a further example,
the circles 158 may be interconnected by lines 160 showing the path
of letters 14 selected.
[0094] Although every feature of the game board 10 has not been
fully enumerated, it should be understood that certain features of
the game board 10 may vary from one embodiment to the next. To
illustrate, in some games players may "reuse" letters 14, while in
other games players may be prohibited from "reusing" letters 14. In
some games the last letter of a word must terminate at an edge,
while in other games the word must simply extend across the length
or width of the array of letters 14. Hence the described features
and embodiments are truly exemplary, and many variations of the
game board 10 remain within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0095] In one embodiment, once the player locates the words the
game board 10 may present the player with another game. For
example, the game board 10 may challenge the player to locate a
number of words that all relate to a particular theme or a single
clue. Hints may again be available to assist the player with moving
the game forward. Likewise, the player may be competing against a
clock, and thus possible points may decrease as time elapses. The
game board 10 may in some embodiments present the player with a
still further game. For example, the game board 10 may challenge
the player to find a 10- or 11-letter word winding through a four
by four array of letters. In one variation, the game board 10 may
provide a clue to the player, and the word corresponding to the
clue must touch all four corners of the array.
[0096] Turning now to FIG. 13, yet another game is displayed on the
game board 10. In this game, each indicator 130 may instruct the
player to find a certain quantity 162 of words of a certain length.
For example, the game board 10 here is instructing the player to
find three 5-letter words. The player has already found two out of
three 5-letter words, hence the "2/3." A list 164 beneath each
indicator 130 may show the words that the player has already
located. Thus one can see that the player has already found "CHAPS"
and "INDEX" under the 5-letter word category. Moreover, this game
may be based on elapsed time 136 rather than points.
[0097] Because some shorter-length words may form a portion of
longer-length words, a button 166, for example "ENTER", may be
provided. The player may then tap that button 166 when he or she
desires to register a located word. The game board 10 need not
assume whether the player was trying for a shorter word or a longer
word.
[0098] This game along with other games may accord the player more
or less points depending on the type of words located. For
instance, a "double word" that has a second meaning when its
letters are reversed (e.g., "tops" and "spot") may be worth more
points or may reduce the elapsed time 136, depending on how the
game is scored. As a further example, players that can utilize
every letter 14 on an array may be awarded a bonus in the form of
added points or reduced elapsed time 136. A status 168 on the game
board 10 may inform the player of the percentage of letters 14 on
the array that have been utilized thus far. Bonuses may also be
awarded to players that locate words having seven or more letters,
for example. Still further, a player may be docked points or time
where the player locates words that are derivatives of one another
(e.g., "gap" and "gaps").
[0099] In another embodiment, the game board 10 may challenge a
player to locate a string of words within a sixteen by sixteen
array of letters 14. The game may first require the player to
locate a string of words that connect the left and right sides of
the array. The game may then require the player to locate a string
of words that connect the top and bottom of the array. The words
located in the left-right string may remain highlighted with
virtual colored chips as the player locates a string of words from
the top to bottom. In some variations, the player must cross over
the left-right string so as not to "use" a letter 14 forming one of
the words in the left-right string. In other words, the player must
create a diagonal connection to cross the left-right string. In
other variations, though, the game board 10 may allow the player to
use letters from the left-right string of words to create the
top-bottom string of words.
[0100] In this embodiment, the game may not necessarily track
elapsed time. Rather, points may be based on the number of words
required to create the left-right and top-bottom strings. Thus
players that use longer words may be rewarded accordingly. Further,
because of the size of the array in this embodiment, the game board
10 may include features that assist players. For example, once the
player selects a letter 14, the screen may zoom in on the selected
letter 14 and letters 14 nearby. Another example involves the use
of a rotate button. The rotate button may allow the player to
rotate the array 180 degrees while maintaining the letters 14 in an
upright, readable format. Such rotation allows players sitting
across from one another to play the game on a device positioned
between them without having to move the device between turns.
[0101] Still another game is shown in FIG. 14. The game shown can
be played by multiple players (e.g., two, three, four) sharing a
single electronic device or can be played by multiple players at
different locations. The objective of the game may be to locate a
string of words that connect the top and bottom or left and right
sides of a sixteen by sixteen array. Virtual colored chips 16 may
indicate which player located a word comprised of particular
letters 14. Further, players may attempt to "block" one another by
locating words in each other's paths. Players may only "cross"
another player's string of words at diagonals, as described above
in at least one of single player embodiments.
[0102] The game board 10 shown in FIG. 14 may also include a zoom
button 170 and a rotate button 172. The zoom button 170 may allow
players to zoom in on a particular section of the array. Once
zoomed in, the player may move the view to different sections of
the array. The rotate button 172 may allow the player to rotate the
array 180 degrees while maintaining the letters 14 in an upright,
readable format. The game board 10 may be returned to a default
view after each player's turn.
[0103] In some embodiments, each player may be allotted a certain
amount of total time, the idea being that once a player has run out
of time, that player loses. During a player's turn, that player's
allotment of total time may count down towards zero, and continue
counting down with each successive turn. Once a player identifies a
word on the array, though, the next player's total time starts
counting down.
[0104] While the description thus far has focused largely on the
game board 10 and its multitude of embodiments, also important is
the hardware and infrastructure that support the game board 10.
FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary computer system 200, or network
architecture, that may be used to implement the game board 10 in
electronic devices according to the present disclosure. One or more
computer systems 200 may carry out the methods presented herein as
computer code. One or more processors, such as processor 220, which
may be a special purpose or a general-purpose processor is
connected to a bus 210. As shown in FIG. 15, bus 210 connects the
processor 220 to various other components of the computer system
200, but it is contemplated bus 210 may connect processor 220 to
components (not shown) such as, sensors, and servomechanisms. It is
also contemplated that bus 210 connects the processor 220 to other
computer systems. Via the bus 210, the processor 220 can receive
computer code. The term "computer code" includes, for example,
programs, instructions, signals and/or data. The processor 220
executes computer code and may further send the computer code via
the bus 210.
[0105] The computer system 200 may include one or more memories,
such as first memory 230 and second memory 240. It is contemplated
that the first memory 230, secondary memory 240, or a combination
thereof function as a computer usable storage medium to store
and/or access computer code. The first memory 230 and second memory
240 may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or any combination
thereof.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 15, one embodiment of second memory 240 is
a mass storage device 243, although it is contemplated that first
memory 230 may be the mass storage device. The mass storage device
243 comprises a storage drive 245 and a storage media 247. It is
contemplated the storage media 247 may or may not be removable from
the storage drive 245. Mass storage devices 243 with storage media
247 that are removable, otherwise referred to as removable storage
media, allow computer code to be transferred to and/or from the
computer system 200.
[0107] A mass storage device 243 may include, for example, a
Compact Disc Read-Only Memory ("CDROM"), ZIP storage device, tape
storage device, magnetic storage device, optical storage device,
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems ("MEMS"), nanotechnological
storage device, floppy storage device, hard disk device. Mass
storage device 243 also includes program cartridges and cartridge
interfaces (such as that found in video game devices), removable
memory chips (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated
sockets.
[0108] The computer system 200 may further or alternatively include
other means for computer code to be loaded into or removed from the
computer system 200, for example, input/output ("I/O") interface
250 and/or communications interface 260. Both the I/O interface 250
and the communications interface 260 allow computer code to be
transferred between the computer system 200 and external devices
including other computer systems. This transfer may be
bi-directional or omni-direction to or from the computer system
200.
[0109] Computer code transferred by the I/O interface 250 and the
communications interface 260 are typically in the form of signals,
which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals
capable of being sent and/or received by the interfaces. These
signals may be transmitted via a variety of modes including, but
not limited to, wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a
cellular phone link, infrared ("IR"), and radio frequency ("RF")
link.
[0110] The I/O interface 250 may be any connection, wired or
wireless, that allows the transfer of computer code. An I/O
interface 250 includes, for example, an analog or digital audio
connection, digital video interface ("DVI"), video graphics adapter
("VGA"), musical instrument digital interface ("MIDI"), parallel
connection, PS/2 connection, serial connection, universal serial
bus connection ("USB"), IEEE1394 connection, PCMCIA slot and card.
In certain embodiments the I/O interface connects to an I/O unit
255 such as a user interface, monitor, speaker, printer, touch
screen display, to name a few.
[0111] The communications interface 260 is also any connection that
allows the transfer of computer code. Communication interfaces
include, but are not limited to, a modem, network interface (such
as an Ethernet card), wired or wireless systems (such as Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, IR), local area networks, wide area networks, intranets,
etc.
[0112] One aspect of the present disclosures is also directed to
computer products, otherwise referred to as computer program
products, to provide software that includes computer code to the
computer system 200. Processor 220 executes the computer code in
order to implement the methods of the present invention. As an
example, the methods according to the present invention may be
implemented using software that includes the computer code, wherein
the software is loaded into the computer system 200 using a memory
230, 240 such as the mass storage drive 243, or through an I/O
interface 250, communications interface 260, or any other interface
with the computer system 200. The computer code in conjunction with
the computer system 200 described herein may perform any one of, or
any combination of, the steps of any of the methods presented
herein. It is also contemplated that the methods according to the
present invention may be performed automatically, or may be invoked
by some form of manual intervention.
[0113] The computer system 200, or network architecture, of FIG. 15
is provided only for purposes of illustration, such that the
present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment. It is
appreciated that a person skilled in the relevant art knows how to
program and implement the invention using any computer system or
network architecture.
[0114] The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. Those of skill in the art
will recognize changes, substitutions and other modifications that
will nonetheless come within the scope of the invention and range
of the claims.
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