Abstract:
A method of playing a game having multiple rounds between a plurality of players. The method includes initiating a first phase of the game, the first phase including selecting a plurality of words, scrambling the letters from each word of the plurality of words on a game board, passing the game board to a second player, and unscrambling the letters provided by the first player into words. The method also includes awarding a score for the second player for the first phase based upon the success of the second player in unscrambling the letters into words. A second phase of the game is initiated, the second phase including utilizing the letters from the first phase to create new words of varying length. The method further includes awarding a score for the second player for the second phase based upon the success of the player in creating new words.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to previously-filed U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/659,651, filed Mar. 8, 2005, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a game, and more specifically to a word game directed to improving the vocabulary and language skills of the people who play the game.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Various board games or parlor games exist whose purpose is to both entertain and educate those who play them. Some of these types of games require the players to create words or phrases from a given group of letters. For example, in the word game SCRABBLE, players choose several letters from a pool of letters and create words from their portion of the pool, collecting points based upon the length of the word created and the particular placement of the letters on the corresponding SCRABBLE game board. Other word games, such as the word jumble found in many daily newspapers, require the players to rearrange a given group of letters into a word of predetermined length.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is desirable to provide a game that entertains and encourages people to improve vocabulary skills as well as conceptual and problem solving skills.  
         [0005]     The present invention is directed to a game that allows players to engage in both word unscrambling and word formation in the same game. The players can control the difficulty of each game, based upon the words chosen. The game is designed to be played in either a public setting, with an audience viewing the people playing the game, or in a parlor or home setting. In some embodiments, the game involves using three-dimensional game pieces having letters on the pieces to help the players in solving scrambled words and then creating new words. Multiple game boards are used to play the game, with each individual player utilizing their own game board. The game provides for social interaction between the players, while stimulating excitement about words. In this regard, the game can be used as a teaching tool. When the game is played in a public setting, the game allows for passive audience participation as the audience can see the scrambled words and try to solve the words. In such a setting, the information on the individual player&#39;s game boards may be broadcast or otherwise rewritten for audience review.  
         [0006]     In one aspect, the invention includes a method of playing a game. The method includes initiating a first phase of the game, the first phase including a first player selecting a plurality of words, scrambling the letters from each word of the set of words on a game board, passing the game board to a second player, and the second player unscrambling the letters provided by the first player into words. The method also includes awarding a score for the second player for the first phase based upon the success of the second player in unscrambling the letters into words. A second phase of the game is initiated, the second phase including utilizing the letters from the first phase to create new words of varying length. The method further includes awarding a score for the second player for the second phase based upon the success of the second player in creating new words.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the method further includes providing assistance to the second player in the first phase to assist the second player in unscrambling the letters. In another embodiment, unscrambling the letters from the first player occurs within a given time limit. In another embodiment, the method further includes initiating a subsequent round of the game.  
         [0008]     The invention also includes a game. The game includes a game board, a set of game pieces, at least a portion of which include letters printed thereon, a word sheet, a scoring sheet, and a timing mechanism. The word sheet includes a plurality of words thereon.  
         [0009]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description and drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a game piece for use in a game according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the game piece illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a game board for use in playing the game according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary word sheet to be used when playing the game according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary scoring sheet for use in keeping score when playing the game according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an exemplary timing mechanism for use with the game according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “having”, and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.  
         [0017]     To play the game, the players manipulate game pieces  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , on a game board  14 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The game pieces  10  can be formed of plastic or wood and each will have a letter  18  on one side, and a magnetic backing  22  on the opposite side. The game piece  10  of the illustrated embodiment is approximately 5/8″×5/8″×1/8″ in size, though other sized game pieces  10  can be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Each game board  14  includes a set of game pieces  10 , such as the game piece shown in  FIG. 3 . Each set of game pieces  10  includes seventy-five letter tiles and five blank tiles. When packaged for retail sale, each game includes up to four game boards  14  and four sets of game pieces  10 .  
         [0018]     At least a portion of each game board  14  is magnetically attractable such that the game board  14  is able to receive magnets on at least a portion of the game board  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the entire game board  14  is magnetically attractable. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the game board  14  is approximately ten inches by fourteen inches in dimension, and includes a game piece storing portion  26  and a working space  30 , each of which are magnetically attractable. The working space  30  is designed to provide space to the players to decipher and formulate words according to the rules of the game, as will be described in more detail below. The game board  14  of the illustrated embodiment is rectangular in configuration and designed to rest on a table top (or other support surface), though it is understood that other game board configurations are possible and still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the game board could also include a lap cutout portion that is designed to fit around the torso of the player. It is understood that in other embodiments, the game board can take other configurations to better suit the needs of the players and still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0019]     Each game board  14  also comes with one or more sets of word sheets  38  that include words that can be used to play the game, as will be discussed in more detail below. An exemplary sheet  38  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As shown, the word sheet  38  is substantially rectangular in shape, forming a word strip, although it is understood that other sheet configurations are possible and still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0020]     In the illustrated embodiment, each game includes twelve word sheets  38 , each sheet  38  including a total of twenty-four words per side, for a total of 576 unique words. Each sheet  38  includes sets of random words of varying lengths (e.g. 4-letter, 5-letter, and 6-letter), and includes brief common definitions or synonyms for each word. This is the basic set of sheets  38  included with the game. The various word groupings on the sheets  38  allow the players to control the level of difficulty of the game. It is understood that in other embodiments, the words listed on the sheets  38  may not be grouped into sets, but rather the players can pick and choose the desired grouping of words for use in the game from anywhere in the list.  
         [0021]     In other embodiments, the words on the sheets  38  can be arranged by word length, or could be arranged or grouped by level of difficulty such that some sheets  38  could be geared toward younger players, while other sheets  38  could be geared toward more sophisticated players. In other embodiments, words for use in the game of the present invention could be organized in other ways, including but not limited to organization by theme or subject matter (e.g., sports, movies, science, etc.), or by degree of difficulty (e.g., longer or more esoteric words for advanced players). These additional sets of sheets may be sold separately from the game.  
         [0022]     The game also includes at least one scoring sheet, such as the scoring sheet  42  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The scoring sheet  42  can be used to keep score to determine the winner of the game. It is understood that in other embodiments and other variations of the game, other scoring sheets can be used and still fail within the scope of the present invention. The scoring sheet  42  included with the game is used as a master sheet, from which additional copies can be made for use during the games. The game also includes timing mechanism  46  to help keep the game moving, and a set of game instructions. The timing mechanism  46  may be a sand timer, such as shown in  FIG. 6 , or may be any type of timer suitable for providing an indication of a predetermined length of time, such as an egg timer or electronic timer. In some embodiments, the game may not include a timing mechanism such that the players are responsible for keeping time themselves by using a personal watch, clock, or other suitable method.  
         [0023]     When the game is played in a public setting, a mechanism can be provided to allow the audience to watch the players play the game, and to even passively participate in the game as the audience follows the action of the players. In some embodiments, the mechanism could include a projector, a camera, a TV screen, electronic boards, scoreboard, or other mechanisms may be used to broadcast the actions of the players for audience viewing and would still fall within the scope of the present invention. In still other embodiments, the mechanism could be a pedestal or other device that makes the game board  14  viewable to the audience. Using the configuration discussed above, the game could be played in a shopping mall, at a school, in a television studio, or in any other place where an audience can watch, observe, and play along with the players.  
         [0024]     To begin the game, each player (up to four) gets a board  14  with magnetic game pieces  10  placed in designated positions in the storage portion  26  of the board  14 , and a word sheet  38  with random words. The game is a series of successive rounds and each round includes two phases. Each player uses their own game board  14 .  
         [0025]     In phase I, each player starts with a first set of three words on a word sheet  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, this would be a four-letter word, a five-letter word, and a six-letter word, though other grouping options are possible. The players can control the level of difficulty for each round based upon the length of words selected from the sheets  38 . The players then take the corresponding letters (i.e., corresponding game pieces  10 ) for each word from the board  14  and form a scramble of the letters for each word in the working space  30 . This is part of the fun and strategy, figuring out the best, most obscure way to scramble the words.  
         [0026]     The players then pass their boards  14  to another player (this can be based upon various patterns-e.g., to the right, to the left, across). Each player then proceeds to solve each scrambled word within a set time limit (e.g., 3 minutes, as provided by the included timing mechanism  46 ), using all the letters for each scrambled word by manipulating the game pieces  10  within the working space  30 . At the end of that time limit clues are given at a player&#39;s request to help solve any of the word(s) remaining. The clue can be the synonym or concise definition on the word sheet, though other clues are possible. For example, these clues may also include a category that the word falls in (e.g., flower, sports, movies, etc.), or may include some number of the letters from that word provided in successive order. If the first clue does not help solve the word, then a second clue may be provided. It is possible and acceptable that a solved word differs from the word on the sheet as long as it is a real word (e.g., the word pear can also be reap), and so long as all the scrambled letters are used to create the word.  
         [0027]     Scoring for the first phase involves base points and a possible bonus. For each word solved without assistance (i.e., no hints given), two points per letter in each word solved is awarded. For example, a four-letter word scores eight points, a five-letter word scores ten points, and so on. If all three words are solved without assistance, the total base points are forty (based upon the use of a four-letter word, a five-letter word, and a six-letter word), and additional ten bonus points are awarded. There is no bonus if one or more words require a hint to solve. This score is recorded on the score sheet  42  for each player. The scoring for each player can be done by a single person, such as a moderator, or each individual player can keep their own score.  
         [0028]     Once all of the words are known, phase II begins. Each player keeps the game board  14  on which that player has unscrambled the letters in phase I. Each player, using all of the letters available from phase I, begins forming different individual words. Each letter can only be used once. Each word formed must be at least two letters in length, although this could be mutually set at a higher level (e.g., 3 or 4 letters). The objective is to use all of the letters while simultaneously trying to make the longest words possible. The three minute time limit also applies to this phase.  
         [0029]     Scoring for this phase also involves a base set of points and a possible bonus. For each word formulate, five points per letter in the word are awarded. Thus, a four-letter word is worth twenty points, a two-letter word is worth ten points, and so on. In addition, if all the letters are used, there is a bonus of ten points awarded. There are also bonus points for forming words of six or more letters. Every letter over five in a single word is worth an additional ten points. As such, the scoring for phase II would work as follows:  
         [0030]     3 letter word—15 points  
         [0031]     4 letter word—20 points  
         [0032]     5 letter word—25 points  
         [0033]     6 letter word—30 points plus 10 bonus points (one letter over five)  
         [0034]     7 letter word—35 points plus 20 bonus points (two letters over five)  
         [0035]     8 letter word—40 points plus 30 bonus points (three letters over five)  
         [0036]     It should be understood that while one specific scoring method is discussed above, other scoring methods for both phase I and phase II are possible and still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the points that are awarded for each word created may be equal to the square of the number of letters (e.g., creating a four-letter word would give the player sixteen points), or the points per letter could increase with the size of the words (e.g., a four-letter word could be worth four points per letter, a five-letter word worth five points per letter, a six-letter word worth six points per letter, etc.).  
         [0037]     At the end of the round, the scores are recorded. A running total is maintained across rounds. At the end of the round, each player returns the game pieces  10  to the storage area  26  on the board  14 , and each player chooses another set of words to begin phase I again if another round is to be played. If played in a public setting, the boards showing the letters to the audience would be erased. The winner of the game can be the player with the highest point total after a set number of rounds (such as four rounds), or can be based upon reaching set point level as determined by the players at the outset (such as a total of 500 or 1000). The players should designate the game&#39;s ending point at the beginning of the game. The scoring methodology described above rewards positive results with both base points and bonus point, and does not penalize the players for unsuccessful results. As such, the game is not only educational, but entertaining and could be used not only in a social setting, but also in an educational setting by teachers, tutors, or the like.  
         [0038]     The game could be played according to a number of variations of the rules discussed above. For example, the as described above could be called the slower, more contemplative and thoughtful version. It is based upon each player choosing multiple words to be scrambled and solving by another player, and is played at a slower more contemplative and thoughtful pace where players have several minutes to solve the scrambled words as well as several minutes to form words with the total available letters.  
         [0039]     A faster variation could be based upon all players solving the same multiple words scrambled. One player would need to act as a moderator providing the scrambled word to all of the players at the same time. The number of words played in phase I would be set by the players. For example, a total of approximately 15-20 letters used (e.g., two 5-letter words and one 6-letter word). This version could be played at a much faster pace with no hints. The first player to solve each word would be the winner for that word and awarded a specified number of points. The faster variation could also include only a single round having phases I and II, as opposed to the multiple round version described above.  
         [0040]     For phase II, the players would take all of the letters and the first player to use the available letters to form words would be the winner of phase II, similar to the manner described above. Constraints could be placed on the length of words necessary. For example, at least one five letter and one four letter word could be required.  
         [0041]     Another variation could include team play. In this version, players would team together to work against others, following the rules of either the slower variation or faster variation described above.  
         [0042]     Yet another variation could be in how the game is supported, for example, by providing definitions for the words at the outset of phase I. Each definition would be shown randomly to be used as hints for unscrambling the words, or the definitions could be linked to specific words. While making the game easier to play, provision of the definitions would also have the advantage of reinforcing definitions with the players. This could be especially useful when played with younger kids.  
         [0043]     The game is described above using manually maneuverable game boards and game pieces to physically unscramble the listed words and create new words from the same letters. In other embodiments, players could play the game described above electronically on a computer or on hand held devices that are linked together. In these embodiments, the word lists and scoring rules would be found on software that would be installed on the computer and/or hand held device and the software would control the game. The game board would then be illustrated on the screen of the computer monitor or hand held device. When played on the computer, it would be possible to play with other players around the world using the internet by downloading the appropriate software onto the individual computers.  
         [0044]     Various features of the invention can be found in the following claims.