US5942969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treasure hunt game using pager and paging system
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1997-01-23
•
Granted: 1999-08-24
•
Expires: 2017-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A game can be played using pagers and a paging system. Game participants receive information and clues from the paging system directing them to a particular landmark or location. Once there, the participants signal the system with a response which is dependent on their being at the correct location. The paging system then additionally determines that the participant is transmitting from roughly the correct location. When the participant is thus verified as being at the correct location, the next clue is transmitted to the participant. This continues until a participant correctly deciphers all the clues and arrives at the end of the game.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Wicks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:01
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/216; A63F13/12; A63F13/30; A63F13/33; A63F13/332; A63F13/80; A63F13/822; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/205; A63F2300/40; A63F2300/402; A63F2300/406; A63F2300/50; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of playing a game using pagers and a paging system comprising the steps of: providing a paging system; transmitting with said paging system, messages about said game to a plurality of pagers which are being used by game participants; and receiving with said paging system messages from said plurality of pagers about said game, wherein said received messages are in response to said transmitted messages; wherein said game is a treasure hunt and said step of transmitting messages with said paging system comprises transmitting clues directing game participants to a particular location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of playing a game using pagers and a paging system comprising the steps of: providing a paging system; transmitting with said paging system, messages about said game to a plurality of pagers which are being used by game participants; and receiving with said paging system messages from said plurality of pagers about said game, wherein said received messages are in response to said transmitted messages; wherein said game is a treasure hunt and said step of transmitting messages with said paging system comprises transmitting clues directing game participants to a particular location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting messages further comprises the step of associating a question with each of said clues, an answer to which may be determined at said particular location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of posting said answer at said particular location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: inputting said answer to one of said pagers; and transmitting said answer to said paging system with said pager.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the steps of: receiving said answer transmitted by said pager; determining the correctness of said answer; and transmitting a response with said paging system based on the correctness of said answer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the steps of: receiving said answer transmitted by said pager; determining with said paging system the area from which said answer was transmitted; determining whether said area is the area from which said answer should be transmitted in accordance with said clue; and transmitting a response to said answer based on whether said area is the area from which said answer should be transmitted in accordance with said clue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A game using pagers and a paging system comprising: a paging system; and a plurality of pagers capable of receiving messages from said paging system, receiving input from a game participant, and transmitting said input to said paging system; wherein said messages received from said paging system comprise information about said game and said input comprises information about said game which is in response to said messages received from said paging system; wherein said game is a treasure hunt and said messages transmitted from said paging system comprise clues directing game participants to particular locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A game using pagers and a paging system comprising: a paging system; and a plurality of pagers capable of receiving messages from said paging system, receiving input from a game participant, and transmitting said input to said paging system; wherein said messages received from said paging system comprise information about said game and said input comprises information about said game which is in response to said messages received from said paging system; wherein said game is a treasure hunt and said messages transmitted from said paging system comprise clues directing game participants to particular locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A game as claimed in claim 7, wherein said messages transmitted from said paging system further comprise a question associated with each of said clues, an answer to which may be determined at said particular location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A game as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a posting of said answer at said particular location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A game as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of pagers each comprise: means for inputting said answer; and means for transmitting said answer to said paging system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A game as claimed in claim 10, wherein said paging system comprises: means for receiving said transmitted answer; means for determining the correctness of said answer; and means for transmitting a response based on the correctness of said answer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A game as claimed in claim 10, wherein said paging system comprises: means for receiving said transmitted answer; means for determining the area from which said answer was transmitted; means for determining whether said area is the area from which said answer should be transmitted in accordance with said clue; and means for transmitting a response to said answer based on whether said area is the area from which said answer should be transmitted in accordance with said clue.
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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) | 2002-08-23 | 2003-02-22 | 2003-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-23 | 2007-02-22 | 2007-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-23 | 2011-02-22 | 2011-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |