Abstract:
A magic card trick and learning system is disclosed. The game utilizes a plurality of game cards. Each game card has a subset of selections. The selections may be numbers, words, shapes, pictures, or any combination. Each game card may have one or more apertures. As the game cards are stacked in a proper orientation, a correct selection on a rubric is displayed through the apertures of each card. The game may utilize a question card as well. The question card displays a complete set of selections which a user may select from. In other embodiments the question card may present a question. A user determines which game cards has the chosen selection displayed and orients the game card according to a positive and negative indicator. When properly oriented, the rubric displays the correct answer or selection.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention pertains generally to cards for learning and more specifically to a card game utilizing multiple cards which may be used by the game master to determine the number, color, shape, or answer chosen from a card by a participant. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Card games are known. Playing cards used for games can be in any number of shapes and sizes. In addition, the cards themselves can contain several different types of game information depending on the game being played. Classic card games utilize a group of cards where each card bears one of four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) and a value (Ace through King). Other card games where platers battle each other may have a character on a card and specific stats of the character. In these card games, players primarily play one card at a time and do not overlay multiple cards together. 
         [0003]    In addition, cards with information may be used for learning activities, such as flash cards bearing mathematical expressions on one side and the answer on the opposite side. Many flash card systems utilize only one card for a question. This is limited in that children primarily learn through repetition. Also, these cards are not intended to be overlaid each other. What is needed is a card game system where multiple cards are presented to a participant and each card is overlaid the prior card in a specific configuration depending on the answer of the participant, the overlaid cards then presenting correct information to the game master. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0005]    The invention is directed toward a card game system comprising a first presentation card having a front side, a back side, a first subset of figures disposed on the front side, and one or more apertures; a second presentation card having a front side, a back side, a second subset of figures disposed on the front side, and one or more apertures; a third presentation card having a front side, a back side, a third subset of figures disposed on the front side, and one or more apertures; a fourth presentation card having a front side, a back side, a subset of figures disposed on the front side, and a rubric containing a complete set of figures disposed on the back side; wherein a single figure on the rubric is viewable through an aperture of the first presentation card, an aperture of the second presentation card, and an aperture of the fourth presentation card when the first presentation card, the second presentation card, and the third presentation card are aligned on the back side of the fourth presentation card. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment of the invention the first presentation card further comprises a positive indicator and a negative indicator; the second presentation card further comprises a positive indicator and a negative indicator; the third presentation card further comprises a positive indicator and a negative indicator; and the fourth presentation card further comprises a positive indicator and a negative indicator. Furthermore, in another embodiment, each positive indicator of the first presentation card, the second presentation card, the third presentation card, and the fourth presentation card is respectively selected from a group consisting of: a predetermined printed letter, a predetermined symbol, a predetermined picture, a predetermined braille pattern, a predetermined physical feature; and each negative indicator of the first presentation card, the second presentation card, the third presentation card, and the fourth presentation card is respectively selected from a group consisting of: a predetermined printed letter, a predetermined symbol, a predetermined picture, a predetermined braille pattern, a predetermined physical feature. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment of the invention the first presentation card further comprises a grid pattern with a figure selected from the complete set of figures in positions  1 A,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B,  3 C,  3 D,  4 C, and  4 D respectively, a first aperture in positions  2 C and  2 D, and a second aperture in positions  4 A and  4 B; the second presentation card further comprises a grid pattern with a figure selected from the complete set of figures in positions  1 A,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B,  3 C,  3 D,  4 C, and  4 D respectively, and an aperture in positions  3 A,  3 B,  4 A and  4 B; the third presentation card further comprises a grid pattern with a figure selected from the complete set of figures in positions  1 A,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B,  3 C,  3 D,  4 C, and  4 D respectively, a first aperture in positions  1 C and  2 C, and a second aperture in positions  3 A and  4 A; and the fourth presentation card further comprises a grid pattern with a single figure selected from the complete set of figures in positions  1 A,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B,  3 C,  3 D,  4 C, and  4 D. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the first presentation card further comprises a positive indicator disposed on a first portion of the first presentation card and a negative indicator disposed on a second portion of the first presentation card, wherein the first portion is disposed adjacent to row  1  of the grid pattern and the second portion is disposed adjacent to row  4  of the grid pattern; the second presentation card further comprises a positive indicator disposed on a first portion of the second presentation card and a negative indicator disposed on a second portion of the second presentation card, wherein the first portion is disposed adjacent to row  1  of the grid pattern and the second portion is disposed adjacent to row  4  of the grid pattern; the third presentation card further comprises a positive indicator disposed on a first portion of the third presentation card and a negative indicator disposed on a second portion of the third presentation card, wherein the first portion is disposed adjacent to row  1  of the grid pattern and the second portion is disposed adjacent to row  4  of the grid pattern; and the fourth presentation card further comprises a positive indicator disposed on a first portion of the fourth presentation card and a negative indicator disposed on a second portion of the fourth presentation card, wherein the first portion is disposed adjacent to row  1  of the grid pattern and the second portion is disposed adjacent to column D of the grid pattern. 
         [0009]    The card game system may further comprise a question card displaying a complete set of figures, a question, or a mathematical expression. 
         [0010]    Alternatively, the invention is directed toward a card game system comprising a plurality of presentation cards, each of the plurality of presentation cards comprising a front side, a back side, three or more figures selected from a complete set of figures disposed on the front side, and one or more apertures; and a rubric. In this embodiment a positive orientation indicator on the rubric is viewable through an aperture of each of the plurality of presentation cards when the plurality of presentation cards are stacked in a proper orientation on top of the rubric card. 
         [0011]    Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described the embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best modes suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a question card; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom view of a question card; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of a first presentation card; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a rear view of a first presentation card; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of a second presentation card; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a rear view of a second presentation card; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a third presentation card; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a rear view of a third presentation card; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of a fourth presentation card; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a rear view of a fourth presentation card; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of multiple cards overlaid to obtain an answer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a question card; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a question card; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating the method of using the card game. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , a question card  10  is illustrated. In the preferred embodiment the question card  10  is a square card having a front side  12 . The front side  12  presents a plurality of selections  16 . In the embodiment illustrated the selections  16  are the numbers  1  through  15 . There may be any number of selections  16 . The selections  16  may be presented in a grid format as illustrated or in any other type of arrangement. The question card  10  can be in any size and shape. In the preferred embodiment the question card  10  is square in shape. As shown in  FIG. 1B  the question card  10  is thin. The question card  10  may be any thickness. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 5B , each respective presentation card is illustrated in its preferred embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the first presentation card  20  is illustrated. The first presentation card  20  has a front side  22  and a back side  26 . The front side  22  displays a limited number of the selections  16  from the question card  10 . The first presentation card  20  has a first aperture  24   a  and a second aperture  24   b.  In the preferred embodiment the first aperture  24   a  and second aperture  24   b  are positioned horizontally. In the preferred embodiment there is a positive indicator  28   a  and a negative indicator  28   b  on the front side  22 . The positive indicator  28   a  is positioned on the top end of the front side  22  and the negative indicator  28   b  is positioned on the bottom end of the front side  22 . To use the first presentation card  20  the game master shows the front side  22  to the user. The user then identifies positively if the chosen selection  16  is present on the first presentation card  20 . Alternatively, the user identifies negatively if the chosen selection  16  is not present on the first presentation card  20 . If the user identifies positively then the game master places the first presentation card  20  down, front side  22  face up, with the positive indicator  28   a  disposed away from the game master. If the user identifies negatively the user places the first presentation card  20  down, front side  22  face up, with the negative indicator  28   b  disposed away from the game master. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , the second presentation card  30  is illustrated. The second presentation card  30  has a front side  32  and a back side  36 . The front side  32  displays a limited number of the selections  16  from the question card  10 . The second presentation card  30  has an aperture  24 . In the preferred embodiment the aperture  34  is a square positioned in the lower left quarter of the second presentation card  30 . In the preferred embodiment there is a positive indicator  38   a  and a negative indicator  38   b  on the front side  32 . The positive indicator  38   a  is positioned on the top end of the front side  32  and the negative indicator  38   b  is positioned on the bottom end of the front side  32 . To use the second presentation card  30  the game master shows the front side  32  to the user. The user then identifies positively if the chosen selection  16  is present on the second presentation card  30 . Alternatively, the user identifies negatively if the chosen selection  16  is not present on the second presentation card  30 . If the user identifies positively then the game master places the second presentation card  30  on top of the first presentation card  20 , front side  32  face up, with the positive indicator  28   a  disposed away from the game master. If the user identifies negatively the user places the second presentation card  30  on top of the first presentation card  20 , front side  32  face up, with the negative indicator  38   b  disposed away from the game master. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the third presentation card  40  is illustrated. The third presentation card  40  has a front side  42  and a back side  46 . The front side  42  displays a limited number of the selections  16  from the question card  10 . The third presentation card  40  has a first aperture  44   a  and a second aperture  44   b.  In the preferred embodiment the first aperture  44   a  and second aperture  44   b  are positioned vertically. In the preferred embodiment there is a positive indicator  48   a  and a negative indicator  48   b  on the front side  42 . The positive indicator  48   a  is positioned on the top end of the front side  42  and the negative indicator  48   b  is positioned on the bottom end of the front side  42 . To use the third presentation card  40  the game master shows the front side  42  to the user. The user then identifies positively if the chosen selection  16  is present on the third presentation card  40 . Alternatively, the user identifies negatively if the chosen selection  16  is not present on the third presentation card  40 . If the user identifies positively then the game master places the third presentation card  40  on top of the second presentation card  30 , front side  42  face up, with the positive indicator  48   a  disposed away from the game master. If the user identifies negatively the user places the third presentation card  40  on top of the second presentation card  30 , front side  42  face up, with the negative indicator  48   b  disposed away from the game master. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , the fourth presentation card  50  is illustrated. The fourth presentation card  50  has a front side  52  and a back side  54 . The front side  52  displays a limited number of the selections  16  from the question card  10 . The back side  54  displays a scoring rubric which comprises all of the selections  16  in predetermined positions. The fourth presentation card  50  has no apertures. The positive indicator  58   a  is positioned on the top end of the front side  52  and the negative indicator  58   b  is positioned on the right side of the front side  52 . To use the fourth presentation card  50  the game master shows the front side  52  to the user. The user then identifies positively if the chosen selection  16  is present on the fourth presentation card  50 . Alternatively, the user identifies negatively if the chosen selection  16  is not present on the fourth presentation card  50 . If the user identifies positively then the game master places the fourth presentation card  50  on top of the third presentation card  40 , front side  52  face up, with the positive indicator  58   a  disposed away from the game master. If the user identifies negatively the user places the fourth presentation card  50  on top of the third presentation card  40 , front side  52  face up, with the negative indicator  58   b  disposed away from the game master. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the stacking of the presentation cards is illustrated. After all of the presentation cards are positioned correctly depending on the user&#39;s answer, the fourth presentation card  50  is positioned last at the end of the stack. The back side  54  with the rubric  56  is disposed toward the other presentation cards. The respective apertures from each presentation card align so that the chosen selection  16  is viewable through the aligned apertures. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the chosen selection  16  is the number “ 15 ”. Based on the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A through 5B , the user&#39;s answers when shown the presentation cards would be “yes” for the first presentation card  20 , “yes” for the second presentation card  30 , “yes” for the third presentation card  40 , and “yes” for the fourth presentation card  40 . 
         [0034]    Each respective presentation card may display any number of selections  16 . Each respective presentation card may present a different number of selections from other presentation cards. In the preferred embodiment, each presentation card displays approximately half of the total number of selections  16 . 
         [0035]    The respective apertures in each presentation card may be any size and shape. There may be any number of apertures in each presentation card. Any number of selections from the rubric  56  may be viewable through the aperture(s) on each respective presentation card provided that when all presentation cards are stacked only one selection from the rubric  56  is viewable. 
         [0036]    The positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card may be any type of distinguishing mark or feature of the presentation card. The positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card may be a printed letter or symbol and may be positioned on the face, back, or edge of each presentation card. The positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card may be any size, shape, and color. In one embodiment, the positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card may be extremely small and hidden marks on the presentation card that are perceptible only with a trained eye. In other embodiments the positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card are clearly printed and labeled and viewable to anyone. In other embodiments the positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card may be a physical feature built into the card, such as a series of bumps or a specific braille pattern, a curve or shape of the card such as an indent or curved corner, or a hole in a specific location of the card. Regardless of the form of the positive indicator and negative indicator of each respective presentation card, the purpose of each is such that they direct the user on which position to place the presentation card based on a “yes” or “no” response distinction. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7A , an alternative embodiment of the question card  10  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the question card  10  presents a plurality of symbols as the selections  16  for the participant to choose from. In this embodiment, each presentation card presents a subset of the symbols and the game master asks if the participant&#39;s chosen symbol is on the presented card. Referring to  FIG. 7B , an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the question card  10  presents a plurality of selections  16  for the participant to choose from. In this embodiment each selection  16  is a picture, color, word, or combination thereof. This embodiment of the question card  10  can be utilized to teach a participant a foreign language or test a participant&#39;s understanding of a foreign language. This embodiment may also be utilized to teach a participant general language principles and grammar. 
         [0038]    In other embodiments the question card may have a mathematical expression, such as “8+7=?” The game master then presents each presentation card to the participant and asks if the answer to the question is on the presented card. When all of the cards are overlaid the answer “15” should be visible from the rubric  56 . In this embodiment the participant may play with the cards without a game master and may test themselves, verifying the answer on the rubric  56  by themselves. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment the question card  10  may contain a specific question, such as “What year was the Declaration of Independence signed?” Each presentation card then displays a select number of years. Any number of presentation cards may include the correct answer of “1776.” In this manner the user can test themselves without an instructor. The rubric  56  in this embodiment may not display the correct answer but instead have a square in a specific position saying “correct” or otherwise telling the user that they are correct in the answer with a positive orientation indicator—such as a green square, “YES,” “CORRECT,” “AFFIRMATIVE,” or any other form, picture, word, or mark identifying that the presentation cards are in their correct orientation. Alternatively the rubric  56  may have one square identifying “correct” and the rest identifying “wrong.” In this embodiment the positive orientation indicator is only displayed through the apertures of the presentation cards when the user has correctly chosen “1776” and properly positioned each presentation card on top of the rubric. In some embodiments the rubric may be a card separate from the presentation cards. In other embodiments the rubric may be disposed on the back of the question card. Optionally, in this embodiment, the question card may ask a question without a numerical answer, such as “Who was the first President of the United States?” Each presentation card may then have a series of names on them. When the user selects “George Washington” from the presentation cards and positions them in the correct orientation the positive orientation indicator is displayed through the apertures. 
         [0040]    In the preferred embodiment, each presentation card is organized in a 4×4 grid of squares. In this embodiment each row of squares can be designated with a number and each column of squares designated by a letter so that a position of a specific square on the presentation card can be referred to. In this manner the top row of squares, from left to right, would be designated as  1 A,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D. The next row down would be designated as  2 A,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D and so on with the additional rows. The first column of squares on the left, from top to bottom, would be designated as  1 A,  2 A,  3 A, and  4 A. The next column over would be designated as  1 B,  2 B,  3 B, and  4 B and so on with the additional rows. Each square of the grid may have a figure, be blank, or contain a portion of an aperture. 
         [0041]    The cards utilized in the game may be any size and shape. In addition, the cards utilized in the game may be made from any type of material. In the preferred embodiment the cards are made from heavy duty card paper. In other embodiments the cards may be formed from a thermoplastic with information printed on the face of the cards. Any number of cards may be utilized. The game may be played without a question card  10 , where the game master instructs the participant on how to make a selection. There may be any number of presentation cards used in the game. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the method of operating the game is illustrated. The game is best understood as being a mentalist style game where the game master operates the game to determine a secret number selected by the participant. First the game master may either present the question card to the participant or ask the participant to make a mental selection. The game master then presents the first board to the participant, asking if the participant&#39;s selection is on the first board  100 . The game master then positions the first board in a specific configuration depending on the answer provided by the participant  102 . The game master then presents each additional board to the participant, asking each time if the participant&#39;s selection is on the additional board  104 . Each time the game master positions the additional board in a specific configuration depending on the participant&#39;s answer on top of the first board  106 . Finally, the game operator positions the rubric over the boards in accordance with the participant&#39;s answer  108 . The game operator then views the correct answer from the rubric through the overlaid openings of the boards  110 . The game master then confirms the answer with the participant  112 . 
         [0043]    The method of the invention can take many forms. The basic premise of the invention is that each presentation card gives a yes/no answer. Any number of presentation cards may be used with any number of selections  16  to choose from. Optimally the number of presentation cards utilized dictates the number of selections to choose from. With each card allowing for two options (yes/no), each additional card operates to increase the total number of combinations of yes and no. With two presentation cards there would be four total combinations (card 1: yes, card 2: yes; card 1: yes, card 2: no; card 1: no, card 2: yes; card 1: no, card 2: no). With three presentation cards there would be eight total combinations of answers for the three presentation cards. Four presentation cards allows for a total of sixteen combinations of answers. Five presentation cards would allow for a total of thirty two combinations. Each additional presentation card added to the game increases the number of combinations two-fold. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments parts of the rubric  56  may be positioned on the back side of other presentation cards. In this manner the total number of apertures or size of apertures may be reduced. In this embodiment the presentation cards would be required to be stacked in a specific order to obtain the correct answer. 
         [0045]    What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
         [0046]    The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 
         [0047]    The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.