Patent Publication Number: US-2011062666-A1

Title: Communications game and method of playing the same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/242,038, filed on Sep. 14, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/168,651, filed on Jun. 27, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/396,895 filed Apr. 3, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/017,351 filed Dec. 28, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a game and more particularly to a game for promoting communication between the players. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Communication, particularly amongst family members and individual-to-individual is an important facet in every day life. A lack of communication can detrimentally affect such things as family unity and the ability to address problems and difficulties in a timely manner and promotes isolationism. 
     Even when communication occurs, people are sometimes reluctant to directly discuss certain problems or to express certain emotions. This reluctance can vary from person to person. Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism whereby issues and emotions can be communicated in a non-threatening manner. Furthermore, the development of communication skills, particularly the early development of such skills, is of significant benefit as one progresses through life as well as in business relationships. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to aspects of the present invention, a communications game is provided that includes a plurality of containers in the form of a mailbox. Materials are also provided upon which messages or images can be created for insertion into the containers. Topic cards having questions written thereon can be provided with players awaiting an answer to each question and placing the answer on message materials that are delivered to a desired container. Alternatively, a player may ask his/her own question and require players to respond with a statement, picture, recording or the like. A player can be designated as the postman and collect and deliver the responses, or the players can deliver their own responses. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the Figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  is a is a schematic view of elements of a communications game; and 
         FIG. 2  is a view of topic cards of the communications game. 
     
    
    
     These and other embodiments are described in detail herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a communications game  10  includes a plurality of containers  12  and message materials  14  upon which messages or images can be created. The message materials  14 , with messages and/or images created thereon, may be inserted in or provided to the containers  12 . In one example, the containers  12  may be in the form of mailboxes having interior areas defined thereby. 
     In one example the message materials  14  include envelopes  16  with a writing substrate  18  inserted therein. While an envelope  16  has been shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the envelope can be omitted without departing from the broader aspects of the invention. The writing substrate  18  can be in the form of paper, greeting cards, note cards, postcards, and the like. 
     While the message materials  14  have been shown and described as including an envelope and a writing substrate, the communications game  10  is not limited in this regard as drawing substrates, and electronic storage devices such as voice recorders, cassette tapes, compact discs and the like may be substituted or used in addition to envelopes and writing substrates. Where a voice recorder is employed, separate recorders may be employed and once recorded upon, placed in a desired mailbox or the voice recorder could be incorporated into the mailbox. 
     When the containers  12  are in the form of mailboxes, each mailbox can include a flag  20  thereon, moveable between a raised position to indicate that a message is in the mailbox, and a closed position. Each flag  20  can be of a different color. Although the mailboxes  12  are shown and described as including the flag  20  and the door  22 , the present invention is not limited in this regard as other mailbox configurations can be employed including but not limited to those created by one or more of the players. 
     Each mailbox  12  can also include a door  22  thereon, movable between an open position allowing access to the interior area of the mailbox, and a closed position. Each mailbox  12  can also include a slot  24  shown in the illustrated embodiment as being defined by the door  24 . The message materials  14 , provided they are of an appropriate size, may be slid through the slot  24  instead of opening the door  22 . 
     While not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that each mailbox  12  may also be provided with means for removably mounting the mailbox to a surface. The surface may be vertical such as, but not limited to, a wall or door, or the surface may be horizontal such as a counter top, table top or a desk top. The means for attachment includes, but is not limited to, suction cups, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, and the like. 
     While four mailboxes  12  and four sets of message materials  14  are shown in  FIG. 1 , the communication game  10  is not limited in this regard as any number of mailboxes or message materials may be employed. The number of mailboxes  12  and sets of message materials  14  employed during play of the communication game  10  may be determined by the number of players involved in the game. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the communications game  10  also includes personalization materials such as writing instruments  26 . The writing instruments  26  include, but are not limited to, crayons, markers, pencils, paints and brushes and combinations thereof. 
     Player indicia  28  can also be provided in the game  10  to identify, distinguish and personalize players&#39; message materials  14  and mailboxes  12 . Player indicia  28  may include, but is not limited to labels  30  and mock postage stamps  32  having logos, images, fanciful figures and the like printed thereon. Player indicia may also include a stamping device  34 , which can be used in decorating the mailboxes  12  and/or message materials  14 . A postman&#39;s hat and badge,  36  and  38  respectively, may also be included. 
     While various personalization materials and player indicia have been shown and described, the communications game  10  is not limited in this regard as other items may be included and some items may not be provided. For example, blank stickers that can be used as mock postage stamps can be provided so that the player can create his/her own stamps. 
     The communications game  10  may also include a kit for the creation of custom postage such as that described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/017,351 and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/344,678 for “Method for Generating Custom Postage”. The kit can be customized for particular genders and age groups. Each kit includes at least one, and preferably several, art forms upon which the player can create original artwork. Each art form has an areal portion thereon into which the artwork should be positioned. The kit includes an order form for ordering a quantity of custom postage. 
     The created custom postage can be utilized as simulated (or “faux”) postage on the message materials  14  during the use of the communications game  10 . Alternatively, the player can order traditional postage for use on mail by completing the order form in the kit and paying for the resulting custom postage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the communications game  10  includes a plurality of topic cards  58  for displaying one of a question or a requirement to the players involved in the game. Each of the topic cards  58  includes a category field  58 A and a description and/or question field  58 B, each of which provide information about a communication topic. The topic cards  58  can be color coded according to topic category. 
     The communications game  10  may include blank topic cards  58  as well as completed topic cards  58 . For instance, in one example a certain number of the topic cards  58  have the category field  58 A and description field  58 B completed, while the remaining topic cards  58  are blank with respect to the category, title and description fields. The players of the communications game  10  can fill-in or complete the blank category, title and description fields if so desired. 
     The topic cards  58  may be manufactured from paper or cardstock. In one example, the topic cards  58  may be manufactured from paper or cardstock coated with a material capable of being marked on and having such markings erased so that the topic cards can be reused. In another example, the topic cards  58  may be made entirely of a material capable of being marked on and having such markings erased. 
     While the topic cards  58  are described as being manufactured from or are coated with a material capable of being marked on and having such markings erased, the communications game  10  is not limited in this regard as the topic cards  58  may be manufactured from other materials such as, but not limited to plastic, cardboard, and the like. 
     Alternatively, the topic cards  58  may be stored on an electronic storage device such as a compact disc, diskette, and the like. In another alternative, a handheld electronic device can be provided for displaying various topic cards  58  upon access by a user. The handheld device can include a video screen and/or an LCD display. The handheld device can also be connectable by known means to the internet where additional communication topics can be downloaded to the device. 
     The categories included in the category fields  58 A on the topic cards  58  category can include but are not limited to topics such as: 1) holiday; 2) literature; 3) current events; 4) personal; 5) comedy; 6) photo; 7) art; 8) three dimensional object; 9) animals and pets; 10) food; 11) adult; 12) adolescent issues; 13) teenager issues; 14) homework and 15) vacation. 
     The description fields  58 B on the topic cards  58  include additional prompts such as information about or questions regarding the category provided in the category field  58 A. For example, the description field  58 B for the personal category (number 4 listed above) can include prompts such as: 1) tell me a secret; 2) tell me something special; 3) tell me about a dream; 4) what was the best part of your day; and 5) tell me something that you would like me to do differently. In another example, the description field  58 B for the literary category can include prompts such as: 1) create a poem about yourself; 2) tell me about your favorite book; and 3) write down three words that are new to you and use each word in a sentence. 
     The communications game  10  can also include a collections mailbox  40  that can be used to collect the message materials  14  that are addressed to players of the game. The message materials  14  deposited in the collections mailbox  40  are distributed to the appropriate mailboxes  12  by a person designated as the mail carrier. While a collections box  40  and a mail carrier have been described, the communications game  10  is not limited in this regard as a collections box and a mail carrier can be omitted with players delivering their own messages without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
     During use of the communications game  10  a player is assigned one or more containers  12 . A topic card  58  having a question or requirement written thereon, or a question or requirement authored by one of the players, is presented to the players of the game. For example, one or more of the topic cards  58  can be placed in the player&#39;s mailbox  12  or in the collection box  40  and then distributed to the respective player&#39;s mailboxes. The players then generate a response to the question or requirement presented on the topic card  58 . In one example, a player can generate his/her response by utilizing the personalization materials  26  and message materials  14 . The player can choose to decorate his/her message materials  14  with player indicia  28 . 
     In one example, the players&#39; responses are distributed to one or more of the other players by placing the message materials  14  with the response in the desired mailboxes  12 . The responses can be made anonymously or the player making the response can identify himself/herself. Moreover, the game can be used as a vehicle for players to discretely deliver messages and/or questions to other players by placing such messages and/or questions in the player&#39;s mailbox  12 . 
     In another example, where a collections mailbox  40  and a mail carrier are used, once the players&#39; responses are complete, the message materials  14  containing the responses are addressed to the desired recipient and deposited in the collections mailbox  40  and then delivered to the addressee&#39;s mailbox. If provided with the game, the mail carrier can be given the above-described postman&#39;s hat and badge,  36  and  38  respectively, to wear. 
     Prior to playing the game, the mailboxes  12  can be distributed to each of the players so they can, if so desired, decorate the mailbox using the above-described player indicia  28  and can locate their mailbox where they wish. Once presented with, or prior to being presented with, a question or requirement, each player can use the personalization materials to decorate their mailboxes  12  and can if they desire either create or select a mock postage stamp to be placed, where appropriate, on their message materials  14 . 
     The communications game  10  is intended for all ages and can be used in a variety of locations and situations, including, but not limited to, homes, day cares, nursery schools, grade schools, colleges, sport teams, hospitals, camps, and the like. By playing and utilizing the communications game  10 , players will be given an outlet to express feelings and also be given the opportunity to learn more about their friends, classmates, teammates and family. Moreover, the communications game  10  fosters communication between individuals and/or groups that may have difficulty in such communication. Additionally, the communications game  10  promotes dialogue and discussions between friends, teammates, classmates, families and the like. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.