WO2014147356A1

WO2014147356A1 - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014147356A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/000121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm Trollope-Davis
Original assignee: Malcolm Trollope-Davis
Priority date: 2013-03-19
Filing date: 2013-03-19
Publication date: 2014-09-25

Abstract

A finger-mountable apparatus (10) for use in a game involving tokens (30) having an information-bearing surface is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a ring, sleeve or collar—like portion for placement over the finger of a user with an interior surface (30) adapted to grip an inserted finger, for example using a narrowing rubber material. A token mounting portion (18) is arranged to be disposed above the finger when the apparatus is worn, the token mounting portion comprising a seating surface with a peripheral groove (28) at or around a rear peripheral edge into which can be inserted one of a plurality of the interchangeable tokens. A biasing member (20, 21 s) provided for urging an inserted token towards a surface of the groove so that it is secured in place regardless of orientation.

Description

Game Apparatus

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a game apparatus, particularly a game apparatus for being worn on a user's ringer.

Background of the Invention

Games involving collectible cards or tokens are well known. Typically, players have a set of cards or tokens each of which shows a particular entity from a collection or theme, e.g. characters from a film. Each card shows a plurality of attributes for the entity, e.g. strength, agility, stamina, with a perceived value for each that is interrogated by each player. Comparison of a given attribute for the 'current card' determines who wins the current round of play, with the winner usually taking the loser's card and having the choice of attribute to compare in the next round.

Such games traditionally require a flat, stable playing surface such as a table in order to play the game efficiently. It can be difficult to play the game on-the-go, such as in a moving vehicle, playground or active environment. Individual cards/tokens are susceptible to being lost or damaged in such circumstances.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided wearable apparatus for use in a game, the apparatus comprising a finger mounting portion adapted for placement over a user's finger and a token mounting portion adapted to removably secure a game token to the apparatus when worn by a user.

There is therefore provided a convenient system for playing games, for example collectable card or token games, in which the card, data or token may be held securely in place regardless of the physical location of the players. The card or token is less likely to be lost or damaged as it can be securely held on a player's finger, can be exchanged during gameplay by virtue of it being removable, and the fact that it can be held on a finger allows the displayed information-bearing face of the card or token to be moved between hidden and revealed positions by bending of the finger.

In this description, the term 'finger' is intended to cover the thumb also. The finger mounting portion may comprise a ring, sleeve or collar -like portion whose inner surface defines an interior channel through which a user's finger is in use inserted from a rear end towards a front end for being detachably retained. The inner surface may narrow from the rear end towards the front end, for example in a tapering or step-like manner.

The inner surface may be comprised of a resilient plastics-material. The resilient plastics-material may be formed with a plurality of deformable dots, teeth or ribs. Other suitable retaining details and surfaces may be employed The material's inner surface may be provided as a sleeve that fits within, and is removable from, an outer sleeve of the apparatus.

The token mounting portion may comprise a seating surface with a raised, overhanging lip adjacent an edge thereof defining a slot into which at least part of a token is received in use. The overhanging lip may extend around a peripheral rear edge of the seating surface, the front edge being open to allow a game token to be inserted and removed in use by means of a sliding action. The overhanging lip may be generally U or V—shaped, or rectangular. The token mounting portion may further comprise biasing means for urging a token, when inserted, towards the overhanging lip so as to secure the token in place within the slot. User action, e.g. a depression or compression of, or the use of force on, the biasing means, may be used to release the token from the token mounting portion.

Additionally, or alternatively, the token mounting portion may comprise a seating surface having a magnetic portion arranged in use to retain a game token on said surface by means of magnetic attraction therewith. Additionally, or alternatively, the seating surface may have an electro-statically charged portion arranged in use to retain the game token thereon by means of eletro-static attraction with the game token.

Additionally, or alternatively, the token mounting portion may comprise a seating surface having a pair of resilient jaws arranged in use to grip the edge or edges of a game token and which can be deformed, e.g. outwards, by user action on the token to allow removal of the token from the seating surface.

A second aspect of the invention provides a finger-mountable apparatus for use in a game involving tokens having an information-bearing surface, the apparatus comprising a ring, sleeve or collar -like portion for placement over the finger of a user with an interior surface adapted to grip an inserted finger, and a token mounting portion arranged to be disposed above the finger when the apparatus is worn, the token mounting portion comprising a seating surface with a peripheral groove adjacent or around a rear peripheral edge into which can be inserted a peripheral edge of one of a plurality of interchangeable tokens, and a biasing member for urging an inserted token towards a surface of the groove so that it is secured in place. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a user's hand over which a plurality of finger- mounted gaming apparatuses are worn, which is useful for understanding the background of the invention;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a gaming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2b is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 with a gaming token, showing how the token can be removed and inserted;

Figure 4a is a side view of a gaming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 4a; Figure 5 is a side-sectional view of the apparatuses shown in Figures 2 - 4; and Figures 6 to 14 are perspective views of a gaming apparatus according to further embodiments. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments described herein relate to a finger-wearable apparatus for use in a collectible card or token game. For ease of explanation, the term token will be used throughout. The principle of the apparatus and intended game play is better understood with reference to Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a user's hand 1 on which one or more of the apparatus 2 to be described hereafter is/ re placed over respective fingers. The dimensions of the apparatus 2, particularly the part that is placed over the finger, are arranged such that the apparatus 2 locates on the upper part of the finger (either the distal or middle phalanx); in this way, the apparatus when worn can be moved between hidden and revealed positions by means of the user bending the relevant finger (s). The apparatus 2 comprises a finger mounting portion adapted to receive the distal end of the wearer's finger, typically a cylindrical sleeve or collar defining an interior, longitudinal channel. The channel may taper inwardly from a proximal end, that is the end in which the user's finger is first inserted, towards the opposite, distal end. The tapering enables the apparatus 2 to grip the finger. Additionally, or alternatively, a removable sleeve can be located within the channel, the sleeve having a tactile interior surface to improve gripping of the finger. The sleeve can be formed of a plastics material, such as rubber, and have in its interior surface a plurality of dots, ribs or similar deformable members which improve gripping of the user's finger. The removable sleeve may be preferable for hygiene reasons in that it can be replaced, interchanged or simply washed; it also allows for a variety of finger sizes to use the apparatus 2.

The apparatus 2 also comprises a token mounting portion associated with means for releasably securing a token in place on the mounting portion. In this sense, 'securing' means retaining the token on the apparatus 2 regardless of orientation, so that even if the apparatus is held upside down, the token will not fall out due to gravity.

The token mounting portion can be a planar seat or surface on or recessed in the upper surface of the apparatus 2 so that the token, particularly an information- bearing portion of the token, will be visible in use. The securing described in further detail below comprises a slot recessed within a rear wall behind the mounting portion for receiving part of the edge of an inserted token; a resiEent biasing member is provided on the token mounting portion and is adapted to apply an upwards force so that an inserted token is secured in place against the upper wall of the slot. In use, therefore, the token will not slip out of its mounting as the user moves his or her fingers between hidden and revealed positions. Removal of the token from the slot is achieved by the user applying force against the direction of the biasing member, downwards in this case, and then sliding the token in the reverse direction to remove it from the slot and its mounting.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, a detailed description of a first preferred embodiment will now be described.

Referring to Figure 2a, the game apparatus 10 comprises a longitudinal body in the form of a hollow outer body 11 defining an interior, frusto-conical, channel 12 between proximal and distal ends 14, 16. The interior channel 12 narrows / tapers inwardly towards the distal end 16 so that the apparatus 10 will grip any size of finger inserted towards the distal end. A separate and removable plastics sleeve 13 is co-located within the interior channel 12; its shape and outer diameter is substantially the same as that of the interior channel 12 thereby to provide a tight fit.

The material of the plastics sleeve 13 is preferably a rubber or similarly deformable, resilient material. This helps with removal and insertion of the sleeve from and into the body 1 of the apparatus 10. A series of tactile rubber ribs 15 are arranged on the inner surface of the sleeve 13 to aid gripping of a range of finger sizes.

On the upper surface of the outer body 11, adjacent the distal end 6, is provided a token mounting portion 18 in the form of a planar seat. The seat 18 can be of a variety of shapes and sizes but is here shown as an oval platform. A wall 26 is arranged around a rear part of the seat's periphery, upstanding therefrom, and has an overhanging upper section 22 which defines an arcuate slot or groove 28. The dimensions of the slot 28 are such that a peripheral edge of a selected gaming token is receivable within the slot.

The shape of the wall 26 is substantially U-shaped (see Figure 2b) but can also be V-shaped or rectangular in plan view. The shape is such as to permit a substantial part of the information-bearing side of the token to be visible from the exterior.

A U-shaped cut 20 is formed within the plastics material of the seat 18 to form a tongue 21 with a raised dome-like end 21. This provides a simple spring or biasing mechanism which in use applies an upwards force to an inserted token to keep it in place between the seat 18 and the upper surface 22 of the slot 28.

Referring to Figure 3, there will now be described the process of interchanging a token 30 during typical game play. A token 30 here comprises a planar, oval disk having an information-beating side 32 and an opposite, blank side.

To insert the token 30 into seat 18, it is guided into the slot 28 by means of lateral guide arms 33 at the front edge of the wall 28. The token effectively slides over the seat 18 in a direction generally parallel to axis X-X. As the leading edge of the token makes contact with the dome-like end 21 of the tongue 21, applied user force forces the spring-like tongue downwards and the token 30 thereafter continues to slide towards the rearmost end 34 of the slot 28. The resilience of the tongue 21, which is biased upwards, holds the token 30 within the slot 28 and user force is necessary to remove it by again applying a downwards force and sliding the token in the opposite direction. When the token 30 is secured within the slot 28, it cannot slip or fall out, even if the apparatus 0 is tilted vertical or upside down. Alternative or additional configurations and methods may be employed to hold the token 30 in place on the seat 18. Such alternative or additional configurations are described below. For example, respective magnets can be used on the token 30 and the seat 18, the attraction being suitable to hold the token in place.

Respective electro-starically charged portions can be used on the token 30 and the seat 8, the attraction being suitable to hold the token in place.

The use of adhesive technology, particularly semi-permanent adhesive on either or both of the token 30 and seat 18 might be employed.

The use of other material intervention technology, e.g. heat or friction, is also an option.

The use of hook and loop (e.g. Velcro™) technology is yet another option, one part of the technology being provided on the token 30 and the other on the seat 18..

Additionally, or alternatively, a pair of opposed jaws may be provided into which the token 30 is introduced; the jaws in use deform outwards to allow the token to pass within their mouth and thereafter close to retain the token in place. Such an arrangement is described later on with reference to Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, a further embodiment will now be briefly described. In this embodiment, the outer body 11 of the apparatus 10' is provided in the form of a collar as opposed to the closed tube, as was the case in the first embodiment shown in Figures 2a and 2b. Figure 4b shows the outer body 11 in cross-section which shows that it has an opening along its length; its purpose is to allow some flexibility as the wearer's finger is introduced and removed and thereby caters for a range of finger sizes. Otherwise, the structure is the same as for the first embodiment.

Referring to Figure 5, a side-sectional view of the apparatuses (10 and 10 ) is shown. The frusto-conical shape of the outer body 11 and inner sleeve 13 is clearly shown, as are the ribs that help grip a user's finger. In a further embodiment (not shown), the apparatus is adapted for top-side placement on a user's finger, that is without requiring the user's finger to pass through the finger mounting portion from one end towards the other. Rather, the finger-mounting portion is substantially C-shaped in cross-section and therefore allows a vertical placement of the apparatus so that it sits on, and grips, the top side of the user's finger.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a further embodiment device 50 which comprises a finger mounting portion 52 in the form of a closed cup into which a user's finger is inserted in the direction indicated by arrow 54. The token mounting portion 56 is similar to that described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5 in that there is a substantially flat seat; in this case, however, the retaining means is provided by a pair of opposed jaws 62 which are provided on lateral sides of a substantially U-shaped rear wall 58 having a C-shaped profile 60. Figures 7a to 7i are illustrations of yet further embodiments in which different types of token mounting portion are provided. In brief, Figure 7a shows an embodiment employing a U-shaped wall structure that provides a pair of jaws that deform in use as the token is introduced and thereafter close around the token to hold it in place. Figure 7b shows a token mounting portion in the form of a planar seat surrounded by a peripheral wall defining a retaining slot. A deformable/resilient stud or pimple is provided at a front edge thereof to retain an inserted token in place. Figure 7 c shows a token mounting portion comprising a complete circular or ovoid wall having a slot within the front edge of the wall in which the token is introduced. The width of the slot may be such as to correspond substantially to the thickness of the token thereby to provide a frictional engagement to retain the token in place. Figure 7d shows a token mounting portion in the form of a planar seat with a resilient arm extending from a rear part of the device with the free end in use acting as a clamping device to retain the token in place. Figure 7e is substantially similar to the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 but employs a wire-form coil spring as the biasing mechanism instead of the plastics U-shaped member. Figure 7f provides a substantially U- shaped rear wall with a rubber (or other resilient material) lining within which the token can be wedged; for example the rubber lining may itself be shaped with a groove for gripping the token due to friction and inherent resilience of the rubber. Figure 7g is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 7d, but provides a plurality of clamping arms; Figure 7h employs a slot and groove retaining mechanism and Figure 7i employs a ball and socket retaining mechanism, the ball being the token in this case.

Figures 8a to 8c show yet further examples of token retaining mechanisms that can be employed. Figures 8a and 8b are similar to Figure 6 in that, in both cases, a pair of opposed resilient arms/jaws are employed to retain the token in place and which deform in response to user pressure in the reverse direction to allow removal of the token. Figure 8c is a variation on the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 with a V-shaped tongue employed as part of the retaining mechanism. Figures 9a to 9c are useful for understanding how a token is inserted and removed from the embodiment shown in Figure 8c. A yet further embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 10. Referring to that Figure, the embodiment device 70, and particularly the interior channel 72, is constructed and arranged such that a plurality of adjacent fingers can in use be inserted from the rear end towards the front end. Here, a single interior channel 72 is used but separate side-by-side channels could be provided for receiving respective fingers. This embodiment is particularly stable when located on plural fingers of a player. Any of the above-described alternative retaining mechanisms can be employed for the token mounting portion 76. A yet further embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 11. Referring to that Figure, the embodiment device 80 is mechanically similar to that shown and described with reference to Figures 2 to 5, and in addition comprises an electronic system including a connector 82, a display 84 and processing module (not shown). The connector 82 is configured to make electrical connection with a corresponding connector 88 of a token 86 which stores data relating to game play, e.g. an image and attribute values for a character or entity. Said data may be stored in a non-volatile memory chip on or within the token 86. When the token 86 is secured in place on the token retaining portion of the device 80, which can be achieved using any of the mechanisms previously described, the respective positions of the connectors 82, 88 achieve the required electrical connection. The processing module is operable to receive the data for subsequent processing and output to the display 84. The display 84 may be a light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) type device or a variant thereof. Data exchange may be initiated by the device 80, for example in response to it detecting the token 86 in proximity or secured to the device. Data exchange may be initiated in response to user action, e.g. by means of a button or motion sensor on the device 80 activation of which causes the processing module to acquire the data from the token 86. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 12 and 13 which show further embodiments, wireless data exchange between a token and the finger-mountable device can be employed. Figure 12 shows the generalised case where one or more finger mountable electronic devices 90 communicate using a wireless protocol (e.g. r.f., near field communications (NFQ (including RFID), Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), TV White Space (TVWS) or variants of any of these) to receive data from one or more tokens 92. Referring to Figure 13, which is similar to the Figure 11 embodiment, wireless data exchange between the token 94 and the device 96 can be employed in which the connectors are provided as wireless transmitter/ eceivers rather than physical connectors 82, 88. The wireless transmitter/receivers may likewise use a wireless protocol including any of those mentioned above. In this example, near field communications (NFC) technology such as RFID is used so that the data exchange can be initiated when the token is within a predetermined range of the device 96, specifically a RFID reader 97. The gaming data on the token 94 is stored in this case on a label-type RFID tag 98.

Figure 14 shows a yet further embodiment in which a token 100 of the above wireless type is configured to exchange data with a portable computing device such as a mobile telephone, smartphone, PDA or data tablet. A smartphone 102 is shown in Figure 14 as an example. The smartphone 102 may have stored thereon a dedicated gaming application ("app") that, when initiated, is operable to detect such tokens 100 in proximity of the smartphone to enable the exchange of gaming data stored on the token, for example the display of such data on display means 104, and gaming interactions relating to the token data through hard keys or a touch screen interface. Detection of a token 100 by the smartphone 102 may be by means of any of the above wireless protocols, e.g. r.f., near field communications (NFC) (including RFID), Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), TV White Space (TVWS) or variants of any of these. Alternatively, or additionally, a camera (not shown) provided in the smartphone 104 may detect indicia, such as a barcode or similar label on the token, for decoding by processing means within the smartphone for the display of gaming data.

Interaction by a user using the smartphone 102 may cause the transfer of gaming data received from the token 100 to another electronic computing device, e.g. effecting a swap of token data with another player.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in die art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicidy or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/ or combination of such features.

Claims

1. Wearable apparatus for use in a game,, the apparatus comprising a finger mounting portion adapted for placement on or over a user's finger and a token mounting portion adapted to removably secure a game token to the apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the finger mounting portion comprises a ring, sleeve or collar -like portion whose inner surface defines an interior channel through which a user's finger is in use inserted from a rear end towards a front end.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface narrows from the rear end towards the front end. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the inner surface is comprised of a resilient plastics-material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the resilient plastics-material is formed with a plurality of deformable teeth or ribs.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the plastics inner surface is provided as a sleeve that fits within, and is removable therefrom, an outer sleeve of the apparatus. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the token mounting portion comprises a seating surface with a raised, overhanging lip adjacent an edge thereof defining a slot into which at least part of a token is received in use.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the overhanging lip extends around a peripheral rear edge of the seating surface, the front edge being open to allow a game token to be inserted and removed in use by means of a sliding action. 9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the overhanging lip is generally U or V -shaped.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the token mounting portion further comprises biasing means for urging a token, when inserted, towards the overhanging lip so as to secure the token in place within the slot.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the token mounting portion comprises a seating surface having a magnetic / electro-static portion arranged in use to retain a game token on said surface by means of magnetic / electro-static attraction therewith.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the token mounting portion comprises a seating surface having a semi-permanent adhesive thereon arranged in use to detachably retain a game token on said surface.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the finger mounting portion is adapted to receive a plurality of adjacent fingers therein.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the token mounting portion comprises a sealing surface having a pair of resilient jaws arranged in use to grip the edge or edges of a game token and which can be deformed outwards by user action on the token to allow removal of the token from the seating surface.

15. A finger-mountable apparatus for use in a game involving tokens having an information-bearing surface, the apparatus comprising a ring, sleeve or collar— like portion for placement over the finger of a user with an interior surface adapted to grip an inserted finger, and a token mounting portion arranged to be disposed above the finger when the apparatus is worn, the token mounting portion comprising a seating surface with a peripheral groove at or around a rear peripheral edge into which can be inserted one of a plurality of interchangeable tokens and a biasing member for urging an inserted token towards a surface of the groove so that it is secured in place.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising:

an electronic display means; and

means configured to receive data from a token when secured to or in proximity of the apparatus, and to process said data for display on the electronic display means.

17. Apparatus comprising: a portable handheld or hand-mountable apparatus comprising:

- an electronic display means; and

- means configured to receive data from a token when secured to, or in proximity of, the apparatus, and to process said data for display on the electronic display means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the receiving means comprises a reader for initiating and receiving wirelessly the data from the token. . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of gaming tokens.

20. Apparatus according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 16, wherein the tokens comprise data storage means and means for communicating data stored thereon to the receiving means of the apparatus.

21. A method performed at a portable handheld or finger-mountable computer device, the method comprising:

- detecting a gaming token in proximity to the device;

- responsive to such detection, initiating a download of data stored on the gaming token; and

- processing the received data for display on a display means of the device.

22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising receiving user input at the device and, responsive to such user input, transferring the received data to another computer device wirelessly.

23. A computer program comprising instructions that when executed by a computer apparatus control it to perform the method of claim 21 or claim 22.