Environmental game with artificial intelligence

A game operable to transform an area from a first state to a second state wherein the players interact with artificial intelligence. The game includes a method of play utilizing a game box wherein the game box is configured to store and receive a plurality of game components. An artificial intelligence module is disposed within the game box and is configured with software to recognize human speech and provide reactions thereto. The game includes at least two collection wands that are operable to assist a user in collecting objects from the defined game area. A plurality of bags are provided with at least a portion of the bags being transparent.

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled: Environmental Game, Application No. 61/726,133, filed Nov. 14, 2012, in the name of Kathleen Schofield, which is hereby incorporated by

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an environmentally friendly game wherein the participants utilize the items of the game to recover trash from a particular area.

BACKGROUND

Millions of individual engage in various past times and hobbies in order to provide themselves enjoyment and or exercise. Participating in recreational sports is another means in which people choose to enjoy the outdoors. There are numerous types of games that are played outdoors that require various levels of skill and competency. Outdoor games such as horseshoes and others can provide hours of enjoyment.

One problem with conventional outdoor games is that they are not focused on producing a socially responsible output as a deliverable of the game. Most games provide enjoyment for the participants but they do not provide any collateral impact in areas such as but not limited to the environment. Actually, there are many outdoor games that have a negative impact on the environment as a result of the participants leaving trash or other items in the area where the game was played.

Another issue with many games is that most outdoor games can only be played by certain age groups. Many outdoor games require a certain amount of physical ability that either a younger person or an older person does not have therefore restricting that individuals ability to participate. While these types of games are enjoyable for those able to participate, they also exclude several segments of the population due to the physical requirements.

Accordingly, there is a need for an outdoor game that provides a positive environmental impact in the area in which the game is played and can be participated in by numerous age groups and types of people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an outdoor game that facilitates the recovery of trash in the area in which the game is played.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game that facilitates the recovery of trash during the method of play that requires at least two people to play.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game that facilitates the recovery of trash that includes a content box that is approximately 12 inches by 21 inches and 4 inches deep that is used to store the game items of the game.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game wherein the method of play is operable to facilitate the recovery of trash within a certain area wherein the content box is manufactured from a suitable durable material.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game wherein the method of play facilitates the recovery of trash within an area that includes pairs of rubber gloves to protect the hands of the players.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game that has a positive environmental impact that includes two types of plastic bags wherein one plastic bag is transparent and the other type of plastic bag is non-transparent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game that has a positive environmental impact that includes brightly colored vest for the players to wear during the playing of the game.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game that further includes a hat or visor for each of the participants wherein the hat or visor is color-coordinated with at least one of the other game pieces or objects used by the player.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game wherein the method of play facilitates the recovery of trash in an area that includes pickup sticks for use by the participants of the game.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game wherein the method of play facilitates the recovery of trash in an area wherein the pickup sticks include a sharp object at one end and a loop handle on the opposing end.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game that facilitates the recovery of trash in a certain area that includes water bottles for the participants.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor game wherein the method of play facilitates the recovery of trash wherein the game includes a starting point and an ending point.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a game that provides a positive environmental impact by facilitating the recovery of trash in an area that includes pickup sticks in several different lengths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings herein, the environmental transformation game100further includes a game box10. The game box10is generally rectangular in shape and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to word. The game box10is formed from a plurality of walls12and a bottom14so as to create an interior volume16. The interior volume16is sufficient in size so as to receive and store the game components20therein. The interior volume16is divided into a plurality of storage compartments25as shown in particular inFIG. 2. The storage compartments25are sized in various sizes so as to accommodate the different sized game components20. While no particular size for the game box10is required, good results have been achieved by utilizing a game box10that is approximately twelve inches in width, twenty one inches in length and four inches in depth.

Still referring in particular toFIG. 2, the game box10further includes a first groove30and a second groove40. The first groove40is located proximate the top edge31of the front wall29. The first groove40is generally arcuate in shape and is operable to mateably receive the first collection wand50. The collection wand50is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to wood and is generally elongated and cylindrical in shape. The collection wand50is manufactured having a diameter that is mateable with the radius of the first groove30. The first groove40is formed such that it is approximately three-quarters the length of the front wall.29. This length is desired as it accommodates the length of the first collection wand50and allows for the electronic components80. The second groove40is integrally formed along the rear wall58of the game box10proximate the top edge51. The second groove40is operable to mateable receive and secure the second collection wand60. The second groove40extends substantially the length of the rear wall58and has an arcuate shaped bottom having a radius that is operable to facilitate the mateable receipt of the second collection wand60. The second collection wand60is manufactured similar to the first collection wand50being generally elongated and cylindrical in shape and substantially rigid. While not particularly illustrated herein it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first collection wand50and second collection wand60are covered with a coating that is highly luminescent. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first collection wand50and second collection wand60are coated in a material such as but not limited to a luminescent paint of at least two colors. This facilitates easy visibility of the first collection wand50and second collection wand60when in use and further serves to provide visual alerts to individuals proximate the players of the environmental transformation game100.

Integrated into the front wall29are the electronic components80. The electronic components80provide an interface and feedback form the artificial intelligence module120. A microphone82is secured within the front wall29and is operable to receive audio signals from a user during a game. The microphone82is a conventional audio microphone and is operably coupled with the artificial intelligence module120. The microphone80functions to receive audio signals from a user and transmit the audio signals to the artificial intelligence module120for interpretation as further discussed herein. A speaker84is further integrated into the front wall29of the game box10. The speaker84is a conventional audio speaker that is operably coupled to the artificial intelligence module120. The speaker24is operable to transmit audio signals to a user in the form of spoken instructions and or other audio signals during the play of the environmental transformation game100.

An artificial intelligence module120is secured within the sidewall11as shown inFIG. 2herein. The artificial intelligence module120includes the necessary electronic to store, receive, transmit, manipulate and interpret data received from the microphone80. The artificial intelligence module120further includes software programmed therein that is operable to receive speech data from a user via the microphone80and interpret the speech data for use in providing game instructions and game results. More specifically but not by way of limitation, a user will utilize the first collection wand50to retrieve a piece of debris from the area in which the environmental transformation game100is being played. As the user collects the debris, the user will speak into the microphone80with the command “debris collected”. The microphone80will transmit this command to the artificial intelligence module120wherein the module will interpret the speech command and reply with a signal to the speaker84with an inquiry, “what type of debris was collected”. Ensuing the prompt of the debris collection type, the user will speak into the microphone80the type of debris collected by stating a command such as but not limited to, “aluminum can”. Subsequent receipt of the signal regarding the debris collection type, the artificial intelligence module120will store the information for later broadcast to the user. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the artificial intelligence module120is programmed to interpret a plurality of speech commands and provide responses thereto. A power supply99is secured within the sidewall12and is operably coupled to the artificial intelligence module120, microphone80and speaker84. While no particular power supply is required, good results have been achieved by utilizing a power supply that is manufactured from lithium ion batteries.

Referring in particular toFIG. 1, a user is shown wearing and holding the game components20. A vest130is included and is worn during play of the environmental transformation game100. The vest130is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to nylon. The vest130further includes a reflective portion132. The reflective portion132is operable to provide additional means for a user to be seen during their play of the environmental transformation game100. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the vest130could be provided in numerous different sizes. Furthermore it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the vest130is manufactured in numerous different bright colors. A water bottle140is provided with a lanyard145. The water bottle140is a conventional drinking receptacle having a removable lid that that is operable to receive, store and dispense a liquid. The lanyard145is releasably secured to the water bottle140utilizing suitable durable techniques. The lanyard145is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as rope. Gloves150are provided to a player of the environmental transformation game100. The gloves150are conventional gloves that are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to leather. As previously discussed herein, the first collection wand50is shown inFIG. 1. The first collection wand50further includes a tip47that is operable to penetrate an object to be collected during the play of the environmental transformation game100. The tip47is manufactured from a durable material such as but not limited to metal. A hat160is provided to each player of the environmental transformation game100. While a particular style hat160is illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hat160provided could be numerous different styles of hats. As shown inFIG. 3, the environmental transformation game100includes a plurality of bags180. The bags180are utilized to receive and retain objects that are collected during the play of the environmental transformation game100. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that at least some of the bags180provided are transparent. The transparent bags180are operable to receive particular recyclable objects retrieved during the play of the environmental transformation game100such as but not limited to aluminum cans.

Referring in particular toFIG. 4, a flowchart400outlining the method of play of the environmental transformation game100is illustrated therein. In step402, a group of players being at least two people, will identify an area where the environmental transformation game100is to be played. The ideal location will be an area wherein there is at least some foreign debris that is not natural to the immediate area is present. By way of example but not by way of limitation, an area that is littered with trash is a good location for the environmental transformation game100. In step404, the users will set a perimeter within the identified area that defines the space in which the players will remain confined to during their play of the environmental transformation game100. In step406, the players will don the applicable game components20such as but not limited to the vest130, hat160and gloves150. One user will prepare the game box10for transport. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the game box10could be transported using handles or other similar interfaces. A user will carry the game box10during the play of the environmental transformation game100in order to engage the artificial intelligence module120. In step408, the players begin collecting objects within the defined perimeter and begin interfacing with the artificial intelligence module120. As previously discussed herein, the artificial intelligence module120includes the software to recognize and react to human speech. During the play of the environmental transformation game100, each player will speak into the microphone80various commands such as but not limited to the type of debris collected. The artificial intelligence module120collects and stores the inputted information and further provides audio reaction to each input. The audio reaction is broadcast via the speaker84and can include such audio as confirmation of the type of debris and inquire as to how many of the type of debris was collected. It step410, the artificial intelligence module120records the type of objects collected, the quantity of objects collected and which player collected the objects. In step412, the players will complete their traversal through the defined perimeter of the area in which the environmental transformation game100is being played. In step414, the artificial intelligence module120provides upon receiving request from a user via the microphone80, a summary of each players performance and the objects collected by each object. During the play of the environmental transformation game100, the area in which the game has been played has been transformed from an area that had non-native material and objects disposed therein, to an area that no longer contains non-native material.