EXPANDABLE MEMORY BASED MATCHING GAME
20190126132 ยท 2019-05-02
Inventors
Cpc classification
A63F2011/0081
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A memory or matching game is provided that can be expanded and customized, such that the memory game is an expandable memory based matching game. Players can add to their memory or matching game by collecting and obtaining additional cards or game pieces having the same backside depicting the game's theme. Some of the cards or game pieces can be limited edition cards or game pieces, thus creating unique games, of different cards of game pieces. One person's expanded game would be different from another's expanded game based on the individual's collection of cards or game pieces.
Claims
1. An expandable memory based matching game comprising; first series game pieces and wherein the first series game pieces have backsides with a theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme; and, the first series game pieces have first series face sides, and the first series face sides are in the form of pairs of first series matching face sides such that pairs of first series game pieces are capable of being matched.
2. The expandable memory based matching game according to claim 1 further including: second series game pieces, and wherein the second series game pieces have backsides with the theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme such that the first and second series game pieces have the same theme; the second series game pieces have second series face sides, and the second series face sides are in the form of pairs of second series matching face sides such that pairs of second series game pieces are capable of being matched; and, and wherein the first series game pieces are combined with the second series game pieces, and wherein the pairs of first series matching face sides are different than the pairs of second series matching face sides in order to thus expand the expandable memory based matching game.
3. The expandable memory based matching game according to claim 2 further including: limited edition series game pieces, and wherein the limited edition series game pieces have backsides with the theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme such that the first and second series game pieces, and the limited edition game pieces all have the same theme; the limited edition game pieces have limited edition series face sides, and the limited edition series face sides are in the form of pairs limited edition series matching face sides such that pairs of limited edition series game pieces are capable of being matched; and, wherein the first series game pieces are combined with the second series game pieces and the limited edition series game pieces so that they can be matched, and wherein the pairs of first series matching face sides are different than the pairs of second series matching face sides, and the pairs of limited edition series face sides are different than the pairs of first series matching face sides and the pairs of second series matching face sides in order to thus expand the expandable memory based matching game.
4. The expandable memory based matching game according to claim 3 further including: scavenger hunt series game pieces, and wherein the scavenger hunt series game pieces have backsides with the theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme such that the first and second series game pieces, and limited edition game pieces, and scavenger hunt game pieces all have the same theme; the scavenger hunt series game pieces have scavenger hunt series face sides, and the scavenger hunt series face sides are in the form of pairs scavenger hunt series matching face sides such that pairs of scavenger hunt series limited edition series game pieces are capable of being matched; and, wherein the first series game pieces are combined with the second series game pieces, and the limited edition series game pieces, and the scavenger hunt game pieces so they can be matched, and wherein the pairs of first series matching face sides, the pairs of second series matching face sides, the pairs of limited edition series face sides, and the pairs of scavenger hunt series face sides are all different from one another in order to thus expand the expandable memory based matching game.
5. The expandable memory based matching game according to claim 2 wherein first and second series game pieces can be obtained by purchasing them and are sold in a container.
6. The expandable memory based matching game according to claim 4 wherein the limited edition and scavenger hunt game pieces can be obtained by trading or purchasing additional limited edition and scavenger hunt game pieces.
7. An expandable memory based matching game according to claim 1 wherein the pairs of pairs of first series matching face sides can be can be in the form of matching indicia, and the matching indicia can be printed indicia the form of a word, a graphic, a slogan, a marking, a trademark, a design, or a stamping.
8. A method for providing an expandable memory based matching game comprising the acts of: providing game pieces, and wherein the game pieces include first series game pieces, and providing the first series game pieces with backsides having a providing all backsides with the same theme; and, providing the game pieces with first series face sides, and the first series face sides have printed indicia and the printed indicia is in the form of pairs of first series matching face side printed indicia, such that pairs of first series game pieces are capable of being matched.
9. The method according to claim 8 further including that act of: providing second series game pieces, and wherein the second series game pieces have backsides with the theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme such that the first and second series game pieces have the same theme; providing the second series game pieces with second series face sides, and the second series face sides have printed indicia and the printed indicia is in the form of pairs of second series matching face side printed indicia such that pairs of second series game pieces are capable of being matched; and, combining the first series game pieces with the second series game pieces such that there are more game pieces that can be matched, and wherein the pairs of first series matching face side printed indicia is different than pairs of second series matching face side printed indicia thus expanding the expandable memory based matching game.
10. The method according to claim 9 further including the acts of providing limited edition series game pieces, and wherein the limited edition series game pieces have backsides with the theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme such that the first and second series game pieces, and limited edition game pieces all have the same theme; providing the limited edition series face sides, and the face sides have printed indicia and the printed indicia is in the form of pairs of limited edition series matching face side printed indicia such that pairs of limited edition series game pieces are capable of being matched; and, combining the first series game pieces with the second series game pieces and the limited edition series game pieces such that these can be matched, and wherein the pairs of first series matching face side printed indicia is different than pairs of second series matching face side printed indicia and is different than pairs of limited edition series matching face side printed indicia thus expanding the expandable memory based matching game.
11. The method according to claim 10 further including the acts of providing scavenger hunt series game pieces, and wherein the scavenger hunt series game pieces have backsides with the theme and wherein all the backsides have the same theme such that the first and second series game pieces, and limited edition game pieces, and scavenger hunt game pieces all have the same theme; providing the scavenger hunt series game pieces with scavenger hunt series face sides, and the scavenger hunt series face sides have printed indicia and the printed indicia is in the form of pairs of scavenger hunt series matching face side printed indicia such that pairs of scavenger hunt series game pieces are capable of being matched; and, wherein the first series game pieces are combined with the second series game pieces, the limited edition series game pieces, and the scavenger hunt game pieces such that there are more game pieces that can be matched, and wherein of the pairs of first series matching face side printed indicia is different than pairs of second series matching face side printed indicia and is different than pairs of limited edition series matching face side printed indicia, thus expanding the expandable memory based matching game.
12. The method according to claim according to claim 9 wherein first and second series game pieces can be obtained by purchase.
13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the limited edition and scavenger hunt game pieces are obtained by trading for them, buying them, or by receiving them as a gift.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the first and second series game pieces are obtainable by purchasing them.
15. The method according to claim 8 wherein the form of pairs of first series matching face side printed indicia can be in the form of a word, a graphic, a slogan, a marking, a trademark, a design, or a stamping.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is pointed out at the outset surfaces and sides of the game are referenced by a common reference numeral. For instance, there are game pieces 11 that may be embodied as cards 14 that have the same backsides 18, and the backsides of the cards 14 are commonly designated 18, and all the backsides 18 of the card 14 depict the same theme designated A herein.
[0018] In a standard memory type matching game a manufacturer (not shown) makes memory games that cannot be combined. For example, memory card games made by the manufacturer have game pieces or cards having the same size and shape and having different printed backside designs, but these individual games are not combinable in order to create a larger game. The manufacturers intentionally make the backside designs on the cards different so that the games are not unintentionally mixed up. Thus, the memory game set is limited to the cards or game pieces that came with the original game and one cannot combine the original game with another game an cannot add more individual pairs of cards or game pieces to create an expandable game. Thus, these games are limited to the cards or game pieces that came within the game box at the point of sale.
[0019] First Series Theme A
[0020] As shown in
[0021] Each first series game piece 12 has a backside 18 (sometimes referred to herein as rear side 18) and a first series face side 28, and a peripheral edge 29 that extends from the backside 18 to the first series face side 28. The backside 18 has indicia 20 that is printed or otherwise shown, formed in, or disposed thereon, and the indicia 20 depicts or shows a theme 22. As an example, in
[0022] Initially, when the player (not shown) purchases or otherwise acquires the expandable memory based matching game 10 the number of first series game pieces 12 is defined by number of the first series game pieces 12 in the container 15. For example, there may be thirty (30) first series game pieces 12 in the container 15 and they all have the same backside 18. As shown in
[0023] As shown in
[0024] As an example, with thirty (30) first series game pieces 12 there are fifteen pairs of first series game pieces 12 that can be matched. The first series game pieces 12 are placed on a surface 34, for example a table 36, with the first series face sides 28 abutting the surface 34 such that they are not visible, and backsides 18 are visible. Players (not shown) turn over two first series game pieces 12 in an attempt to reveal a pair of first series game pieces 12 that have matching first series face side indicia 31 and 31 or 31a and 31a as shown in
[0025] Second Series Theme A
[0026] As shown in
[0027] As shown in
[0028] The first series game pieces 12 are combined with the second series game pieces 40 to create the expandable memory based matching game 10. That is, the first series game pieces 12 and second series game pieces 40 have the same backsides 18 and theme 22 such that they can be combined to create the expandable memory based matching game 10. When the first and second series game pieces 12, 40 are combined there are sixty game pieces 12. This then allows for fifteen pairs of first series game pieces 12 and fifteen pairs of second series game pieces 40 to be matched.
[0029] Thus, this allows for the expandable memory based matching game 10 to be expanded without limit because while the theme 22 and backsides 18 remain the same the pairs of face sides are different. In addition to the first and second series game pieces 12, 40, there may be a third series game pieces, a forth series game pieces (not shown), and so on without limitation. This in turn makes the expandable memory based matching game 10 expandable as time progresses and additional series of game pieces are added.
[0030] Pairs of Individual Game Cards or Game Pieces
[0031] As shown in
[0032] The limited edition series game pieces 50 have limited edition series face sides 52 that show or depict pairs of matching limited edition series face sides 54, 54a. For example and as shown in
[0033] The first series game pieces 12 may be combined with the second series game pieces 40 and the limited edition series game pieces 50, such that the expandable memory based matching game 10 includes the first and second series game pieces 12, 40, and the limited edition game pieces 50 and continues to expand.
[0034] Single Game Piece for Scavenger Hunts
[0035] As shown in
[0036] The scavenger hunt series game pieces 60 have scavenger hunt series face sides 62 that show or depict pairs of matching scavenger hunt series face sides 64, 64a. There are pairs of scavenger hunt game pieces 60 having pairs of matching scavenger hunt face sides 62 that have pairs of matching scavenger hunt series face sides 64, 64a that can be matched. For example and as shown in
[0037] In playing the expandable memory based matching game 10 with scavenger hunt series game pieces 60, the owner of one scavenger hunt series game piece 60 has to acquire, trade, or purchase the other scavenger hunt series game piece 60 that shows the matching scavenger hunt series face sides 62. Once the other matching scavenger hunt series game piece 60 is acquired, traded for, or purchased the owner has a matching pair of scavenger hunt series game piece 60.
[0038] The matching pair of scavenger hunt series game pieces 60 can be added to the expandable memory based matching game 10 thus further expanding the expandable memory based matching game 10.
[0039] The first series game pieces 12 may be combined with the second series game pieces 40, the limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 such that the expandable memory based matching game 10 is forever expanding while backsides 18 of all of them have the same theme 22 designated A. Over time the player will create a memory based matching game 12 that is unique to that player, thus there will be a plurality of players and each player will have a memory based mating game 10 that is unique to that player. It is pointed out that the first and second series game pieces 12, 40, the limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 are collectable, tradable, and can be sold, such the players can change and grow their memory based matching game 12 as time progresses.
[0040] The game pieces 11 that include the first series game pieces 12, the second series game pieces 40, the limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 game pieces may be embodied as cards 14, or tokens, or discs, and may have any desired thickness or geometry. It is pointed out that in the description presented above the expandable memory based matching game 10 is described in connection with the first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 that have a rectangular shape and can be made from plastic, wood, metal and metal alloys, polymers, fabrics, glass, ceramics, and combinations thereof, and other suitable materials. In other embodiments the first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 can have a rectangle shape, and may have virtually any desired geometry.
[0041] In one embodiment, the first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 are all constructed of the same material, have the same size and shape and they all have the same theme 22 designated A. The theme 22 can be virtually anything, for example a photo, a graphic, an image, an icon, a logo, a letter, a symbol, a brand, a trademark, a phrase, a color, a painting, or advertising without limitation.
[0042] Game Play
[0043] The expandable memory based matching game 10 is played by placing all of the first series face sides 28 on the surface 34 of the table 36 such that the first series face sides 28 abut the surface 34 of the table 36, and such that only the theme 22 designated A is visible. Players (not shown) take turns turning over two first series game pieces 12. For example, assume there are first and second players (not shown). If the first the player turns over a pair of first series game pieces 12 that shows a pair matching first series face sides 30 or 30a, then the player keeps the pair of first series game pieces 12. The first player continues turning over first series game pieces 12 until he or she turns over first series game pieces 12 that do not match. Then it is the second player's turn to play by turning over two first series game pieces 12. Play continues in this manner until all the first series game pieces 12 have been collected by the first and second players, and the player with the most pairs of first series game pieces wins. As the expandable memory based matching game 10 grows over time as the first player acquires second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 60, and scavenger hunt series game pieces 60 are combined and can be placed on the table 36 such that the expandable memory based matching game 10 continues to grow and provide for more fun and entertainment. It is pointed out that the expandable memory based matching game 10 has a large geographical playing area. For example, the above described first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 could all have the same theme 22, and the face sides could be directed to a particular geographical area, for example the New York City area. In such an example the backsides 18 would have the same theme 22, but the face sides for the first and second series, the limited edition series and the scavenger hunt series would be tailored for that geographical area. People may also trade first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 with one another such that the game owners can change their games as time progresses. In addition, first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 may be bought or acquired from businesses, theme parks, at sporting events, at promotional events, online trading, and from other locations and vendors. In another embodiment, a business or retailer creates its own first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 to promote its business, for fundraising, or any other type of promotion. All of the first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 would have the same theme 22 designated A. Over time, it is envisioned that more themes, different than theme A designated 22 will emerge and all such other themes are intended to be within he scope and spirit of the appended claims.
[0044] In one embodiment, the expandable memory game or matching game 10 includes a starter game pack game 100, wherein the starter game pack 100 includes, for example, thirty first series game pieces 12 that form fifteen pairs and housed in the container 15. This enables the game to be played while ensuring that the expandable memory or matching game 10 is challenging. In one embodiment, the number pairs of first series game pieces 12 is set to be fifteen pairs for thirty total first series game pieces 12 as described above, but there can be more or less than fifteen pairs of game pieces 12. In addition, limited edition series game pieces 50 can be sold individually or in a starter pack, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 game pieces may be sold individually. Thus, there are many ways for a beginner to become immediately involved in the expandable memory base matching game 10.
[0045] In another embodiment the expandable memory base matching game 10 can be built from scratch by individually collecting limited edition series game pieces 50 and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 and then acquiring more game pieces 11 to form matching pairs of those particular game pieces 11. The individual first series game piece 12, second series game piece 40, limited edition series game piece 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 can be obtained from a plurality of different sources including trading with others, gifts, acquired from promotions, won from contests, attending or participating in events, given as appreciation for volunteering, acquired in travel, purchased or scavenged, or other opportunity without limitation.
[0046] With the efforts of the player, each expandable memory or matching game 10 is capable of evolving into a game that is unique to the individual player. It can expand as large as desired or stay as the original starter pack. The individual's game will ultimately be a memory or matching game of their personal collection of acquired paired first series game pieces 12, second series game pieces 40, limited edition series game pieces 50, and the scavenger hunt game pieces 60 and become a unique and valued expandable memory based matching game.
EXAMPLE
[0047] One method of expanding the expandable memory or matching game 10 is to combine or link it with certain locations or experiences. That is, the player/game owner would be able to obtain additional paired cards or game pieces 11 by visiting certain establishments or businesses related to the theme A. For example, the business or establishment may be a brewery, winery, distillery, sports arena, stadium, concert, convention, or other venue and without limitation. Thus, a theme designated A is established for that business or the establishment such as craft beer for breweries.
[0048] In addition, and at the same time, while many people enjoy visiting and touring local breweries, wineries and distilleries, the owner's of breweries, wineries and distilleries are constantly looking for ways to attract more people into their tap and tasting rooms to sample current or new introductions.
[0049] One way to promote a business is to combine it with something else that is also really popular. Expandable memory based matching games 10 can become popular, thus the craft beer businesses that utilize the expandable memory based matching game 10 will provide visitors and customers with the opportunity to acquire game pieces 11 in their tap and tasting rooms. The game pieces 11 could be provided for free at the end of the tasting or tour, and more would be available for purchase. Thus, businesses could combine a trip to a brewery with receiving a game piece 11 as memory from the experience. This would encourage people to visit the business or tasting event so that they could obtain additional game pieces 11 for their game. Ultimately, this would provide more fun to patrons of breweries and would be a great marketing tactic for the business owners and industry, because customers and patrons would be drawn to acquiring the game pieces 11, for example, limited edition series game pieces 50 and scavenger hunt series game pieces 60.
[0050] In one embodiment, the brewery may customize their game pieces 11 in any way that they like, including, but not limited to, adding printed indicia on the game pieces 11, for example, adding the logo or name of the business, or adding graphics of a special event held at the business, or adding graphics of a promotion to introduce a new product. In another embodiment, the brewery could give the game pieces 11 away when you try the promoted product, or attend a special event or participate in an activity hosted by the business. In addition, these establishments could create a theme 22 directed to their own businesses.
[0051] Thus, over time the user can build the expandable memory based matching games 10 to his or her liking or preferences, and thus the expandable memory based matching games 10 can be customized by the user over time.
[0052] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the expandable memory based matching game 10 has been described in detail herein, the invention is not necessarily so limited and other examples, embodiments, uses, modifications, and departures from the embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications may be made without departing from the expandable memory based matching game 10 and all such embodiments are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.