| Bingo-like and trivia televison game show -> Monitor Keywords |
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Bingo-like and trivia televison game showRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Board Games, Pieces, Or Boards Therefor, Lotto Or Bingo TypeBingo-like and trivia televison game show description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060017227, Bingo-like and trivia televison game show. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to game shows particularly suited for television and, more particularly, to a television game show for playing a bingo-like game in conjunction with a trivia game. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Game shows have been and remain a staple of television broadcasting virtually from its inception as a broadcast medium. At the height of its popularity, a good game show can deliver some of the highest ratings on TV. Game shows present entertainment in the form of conflict. The conflict lies in the competition between the players for the prizes. [0005] In the prior art, there are a number of bingo style games and trivia games, but none teach or suggest the combination of these games as taught by the present invention. That is, the applicant is not aware of any prior art which combines aspects of trivia games with aspects of the game of bingo. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game combining elements of the game of bingo with a trivia game in a television game show format. [0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to play the TV format bingo/trivia game where at least two players or contestants can compete against each other. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In view of the prior art, the present invention provides a new unique game show system which enables in-studio players or contestants to play a unique game which combines elements of the game of bingo with a trivia game. [0008] In one aspect, the unique game show system is preferably embodied as a one-half hour television program in a studio setting where the studio set design reflects the colorful look, feel and excitement of a casino setting with a capacity to accommodate a large live audience. It is contemplated that the shows would be produced in casino showrooms such as Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Each show would preferably include several one-to-one contestant rounds and a bonus round for the winner of the contestant rounds. [0009] According to another aspect, a game board is preferably displayed in a television studio setting using a bank of video monitors or one large video monitor. The studio setting would also include a spin lever or pull arm for each contestant podium to allow each contestant to take alternate turns at playing the inventive game. It is also contemplated that in lieu of a spin lever or pull arm, each player's turn would be initiated automatically without any action required on the part of the contestants. [0010] According to the present invention, each game is preferably played between two in-studio contestants. The game is based upon a combination of elements of the game of bingo with elements of a trivia game to challenge the contestants to earn their points playing the bingo portion of the game. The contestants keep their points if they answer trivia questions correctly and lose all or a portion of their points if they answer trivia questions incorrectly. [0011] A main objective of the game during one-to-one contestant rounds is for each contestant to cover-up rows, columns or diagonals of the game board. By doing as such, the contestants earn points. The game board includes five rows and five columns, thereby providing a total of 25 squares or cells. Each of the 25 squares is capable of displaying a number (a symbol of a first set) or a graphic indicating that there is no number displayed or that a number previously displayed has been covered-up. In the preferred embodiment of the game, prior to any spins being made by any of the contestants, 12 of the 25 squares are covered-up and the remaining 13 squares display a number. Each square or cell corresponds to one of the video monitors, in the case where a bank of video monitors is used to display the game board. [0012] The game board further includes a row of five player reels or cells; each player reel corresponds to one of the five columns. During a contestant's turn during a one-to-one contestant round, the contestant pulls a spin lever or pull arm to display an icon in each of the five player reels. If a number (a symbol of the first set) is displayed by a player reel which matches a number displayed by a square of the corresponding column, the square of the corresponding column is covered-up. [0013] If the icon displayed by a player reel is a graphic icon (a symbol of a second set), a predetermined action is performed in accordance with the graphic icon displayed. The action could be the automatic awarding of a predetermined number of points to the contestant who pulled the spin lever, providing the contestant who pulled the spin lever with the option of deciding which square to cover-up, providing the contestant who pulled the spin lever with a free spin or turn, and asking the contestant who pulled the spin lever a trivia question. Based on whether the contestant answers correctly or not, another action is performed, such as the contestant keeping/losing a predetermined number of points, including the contestant losing all of his points (if the question is answered incorrectly). If the contestant answers incorrectly, the other contestant is giving an opportunity to answer correctly. By answering trivia questions correctly, a contestant earns clues in helping him solve a puzzle during the bonus round, if the contestant reaches the bonus round. [0014] The winner of the one-to-one contestant rounds is the contestant who has the most points (which have a monetary value) at the end of the contestant rounds. This contestant then plays the bonus round, with a chance to win additional money and/or other prizes by solving the puzzle. [0015] It is contemplated that the game of the present invention can be implemented as a set of programmable instructions and game resources (graphics, audio, video, alphanumeric text, etc.) capable of being executed by a general purpose processor or a hard-wired special-purpose processor for playing the game. The set of programmable instructions and game resources can be stored on a computer-readable medium, including optical, magnetic and opto-magnetic media. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readily apparent and may be understood by referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: [0017] FIG. 1a illustrates a television studio setting for playing the inventive television game show in accordance with the present invention; [0018] FIG. 1b illustrates a game board for playing the inventive television game show in accordance with the present invention; and [0019] FIGS. 2a-2zzz illustrate views of the television studio setting showing an exemplary play of the inventive television game show being played in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] The preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, and detailed hereinafter, describes a bingo-like and trivia television game show. It is contemplated that the game underlying the bingo-like and trivia television game show described herein can be played as a computer/video game, board game or in any other format, including providing for play of the game by one, two or multiple players over a network, such as the Internet. As such, the game can be provided as a set of programmable instructions and game resources (graphics, audio, video, alphanumeric text, etc.) capable of being executed by a general purpose processor or a hard-wired special-purpose processor for playing the game. The set of programmable instructions and game resources can be stored on a computer-readable medium, including optical, magnetic and opto-magnetic media. Continue reading about Bingo-like and trivia televison game show... Full patent description for Bingo-like and trivia televison game show Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bingo-like and trivia televison game show patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Bingo-like and trivia televison game show or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Strategic board game Next Patent Application: Blackjack'n baccarat with jokers (b&bj) Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Bingo-like and trivia televison game show patent info. 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