Patent EP0312341A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5401032A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5401032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mystery puzzle game
Assignee: CPU Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-04
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2013-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A game having a number of cards on which a story is written. Certain elements of the story are obscured by chromatic camouflage. A decoder having a chromatic filter may be used to view the obscured elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas L. Barnhart
- 👤 Frank M. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:16
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F1/00; A63F1/02; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/0613; A63F2009/0615; A63F2009/0616
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A game comprising: a plurality of game cards, each having first and second faces; and a decoder comprising a chromatic filter, wherein at least one of said plurality of game cards bears a written story on its first face and wherein a plurality of elements of said story are obscured by chromatic camouflage such that their legibility is improved when viewed through said chromatic filter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A game comprising: a plurality of game cards, each having first and second faces; and a decoder comprising a chromatic filter, wherein at least one of said plurality of game cards bears a written story on its first face and wherein a plurality of elements of said story are obscured by chromatic camouflage such that their legibility is improved when viewed through said chromatic filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The game of claim 1 wherein said chromatic filter is a red filter and the chromatic camouflage comprises red markings on said first face of said at least one card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The game of claim 1 wherein said plurality of elements are illustrations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The game of claim 3 wherein said plurality of elements are clues to a mystery outlined in said story.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The game of claim 1 wherein one card of said plurality of cards is an answer card having printed on its first face an answer to the mystery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The game of claim 5 wherein said one card has written on its first face a key to said plurality of elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The game of claim 1 wherein said second faces of the plurality of cards, in combination, bear an illustration of a scene pertaining to the story.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The game of claim 7 wherein said illustration contains illustrations of characters from the story.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The game of claim 8 wherein said illustration comprises hidden illustrations of said plurality of elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The game of claim 8 wherein each card of said plurality of cards is rectangular and has an aspect ratio of three to two.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The game of claim 1 wherein said decoder comprises an opaque first layer having a first window and an opaque second layer having a second window aligned with the first window, said chromatic filter secured between said first and second layers and spanning said first and second windows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The game of claim 11 wherein said decoder has instructions for using the game imprinted on an outer surface of its first layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The game of claim 1 further comprising a polypropylene film wrapper containing said plurality of cards and decoder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
A game comprising: a plurality of game cards, each having first and second faces; and a decoder comprising transparent sheet, wherein at least one of said plurality of game cards bears a written story on its first face and wherein a plurality of elements of said story are hidden such that their legibility is improved when viewed through said a colored transparent sheet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
A game comprising: a plurality of game cards, each having first and second faces; and a decoder comprising transparent sheet, wherein at least one of said plurality of game cards bears a written story on its first face and wherein a plurality of elements of said story are hidden such that their legibility is improved when viewed through said a colored transparent sheet.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for playing a card game comprising a plurality of story bearing cards, each with camouflaged elements in the story, and a decoder for reading the camouflaged elements, the cards each comprising a side opposite from the story, which in combination with the other cards forms an illustration of a scene, the method comprising the steps of: reading the story on each card; using the decoder to view and read the camouflaged elements of the story on each card; and assembling the cards together with their opposite sides exposed to form the scene.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for playing a card game comprising a plurality of story bearing cards, each with camouflaged elements in the story, and a decoder for reading the camouflaged elements, the cards each comprising a side opposite from the story, which in combination with the other cards forms an illustration of a scene, the method comprising the steps of: reading the story on each card; using the decoder to view and read the camouflaged elements of the story on each card; and assembling the cards together with their opposite sides exposed to form the scene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |