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  Discernment game and method of playUSPTO Application #: 20070102880Title: Discernment game and method of play Abstract: A discernment game is provided, the game including a plurality of cards wherein each of the plurality of cards represent a gift. The game also includes a play surface for positioning a predetermined number of cards from the plurality of cards; a means for identifying each of the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface; and a means for ranking a predetermined number of gifts represented on the predetermined number of cards positioned on said play surface. A method of playing the game comprises positioning on a play surface a predetermined number of cards representing gifts; selecting a chosen gift; giving by a first player to a second player one identifying marker corresponding to the chosen gift; ranking in order of preference at least one selected gift; and awarding points to the first and second players if the chosen gift corresponds with the selected and ranked gift. (end of abstract) Agent: Laurence C. Bonar - Port Townsend, WA, US Inventors: Nicholas Guy Kellett, Julie Ann Kellett USPTO Applicaton #: 20070102880 - Class: 273242000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Board Games, Pieces, Or Boards Therefor, Piece Moves Over Board Having Pattern The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070102880. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to a game and, more particularly, it relates to a game that focuses on the social interaction between players of the game. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various types of games known in the art include games of chance, such as roulette; games based on knowledge, such as subject matter specific question and answer type games; games based on skill such as poker and chess; and games based on performing certain acts to elicit a correct answer, such as charades. With respect to board games, such games typically involve players performing either a single activity or a collection of multiple activities wherein successful completion of the activity or activities usually results in scoring and/or furthering advancement towards the end goal of the game. [0003] Board game activities typically involve players interacting with other players, the game content, and/or other game components. For example, a single game activity may involve a player responding to a plurality of questions asked by another player. Other single game activities may focus on the ability of a player to communicate to another player in a non-spoken manner, such as by acting out a particular role, modeling an object with clay, or drawing an object for the other player to guess what the role or object is. On the other hand, multiple game activities may appeal to a broader spectrum of players having differing skills such that players who are less skilled or less interested in any particular single activity may still participate and enjoy the game. For example, players may have to blindly select an activity from a number of different fields of activities and successfully perform a particular type of task from the selected field of activity in order to advance in the game. The fundamental feature of such activity based type board games, whether it is a single or multiple activity game, is to evaluate a player's skills relating to one or more activities, which determines the player's ability or inability to progress through the game. [0004] Undoubtedly, players who are skilled in a particular activity or field of activities enjoy the experience of playing activity based games. However, those who lack interest or skill in the particular activity or field of activities typical of such games find activity based games unappealing and even embarrassing to play because of their inaptitude to perform the designated tasks, even if there are multiple fields of activities to choose from. Conventional activity based games relating to evaluating knowledge and skill in a field of activity therefore fails to appeal to a broad spectrum of potential players because such games do not cater to people at a general and basic level wherein virtually anyone, with or without skills, may play. More specifically, a player's ability or inability to successfully carry out conventional game activities may be objectively measured as successful or unsuccessful. As such, players who fail to perform a given task may be exposed to judgment and ridicule by another player. However, if a game activity is based on a subjective assessment along a continuum of correctness, players may all be successful but at varying levels to determine the player's progression through the game. [0005] While most conventional board games inherently provide a social experience, such games do not focus on or relate to any interpersonal or social interaction between players. Furthermore, such games do not enable players to define and/or uncover the identity of the other players through the process of playing the game. Human interaction in any social context typically enables people to learn about each other. Some are more perceptive than others at discerning personality traits, moral beliefs, likes and dislikes, and other personal characteristics that make up the identity of a person. Although a common occurrence in day to day life, the ability to discern the identity of other people has not heretofore been the subject matter of a game. For example, the decision making process involved in selecting a gift to give to another is a complex multi-consideration decision process that is largely based on how well the giver knows the receiver. Giving plays a key role in modem day culture. There are religious and cultural differences with respect to giving, but giving is a global phenomenon. The willingness of people to share and exchange possessions with others exists in all societies. Regardless of the reasons people give to others, whether it be motivated by appreciation, commiseration, or acknowledgment, selecting what to give to another may be very challenging. For example, the giver must decide what best symbolizes the giver's intent or conveys the giver's sentiments and in light of that, the giver must be able to assess what the receiver wants. In today's society, there are many material and non material "gifts" to choose from. Being inundated with a virtually infinite number of choices renders making the right choice even more difficult. [0006] Applicant is aware of games that involve players interacting with other players on an interpersonal level. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,211 to Was provides a game that is enhanced by group interactions and in the playing of which an individual person's thinking style may be categorized into one of four distinct classes. [0007] United States Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0135126 to Marcus provides a board game where, through a series of questions, players reveal various character traits to others and learn various character traits of others with the potential for finding compatibility between two or more of the players. [0008] United States Patent Publication No. 2004/0212149 to Farmer provides a developmental board game and method that includes a playing surface with a plurality of spaces, one or more player tokens, and a manner to determine how many spaces to proceed. The board game is adapted to develop behaviour skills for people with developmental disabilities. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,214 to Pavis provides a method and apparatus for playing a game by posing a question to a player to elicit one of several possible responses, each of the responses having an answer value differing from answer values of other responses. The subject matter of the game deals specifically with the subject of dream interpretation. [0010] The problem with existing activity based board games is that they presume players have a certain level of knowledge or skill to enable them to successfully and enjoyably play the game, whereas in reality, not all players have such level of skill or knowledge. Furthermore, conventional activity based games reduce the activity down to a simple right or wrong answer, or successful or unsuccessful outcome, whereas in reality, there is rarely ever a single right answer and the measure of success is relative. Thus, there exists an unaddressed need for an improved board game wherein players from all walks of life with varying levels of skill may enjoy the social experience of playing a board game without performing skill and/or knowledge based tasks. There also exists a need for a game based on interpersonal interaction between players to discern the mental make-up of other players. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a game about choice in a way that is personal and relevant to a player's daily life. [0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a game that facilitates social interaction amongst the players [0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a game wherein players may connect with other players with respect to discerning their wants and needs [0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a game wherein players may obtain an uplifting sense of goodwill and fulfillment by being able to discern and satisfy the wants and needs of other players and for other players to be able to discern and satisfy the wants and needs of the player. [0015] In accordance with the present invention, a discernment game is provided wherein the game includes a plurality of cards, each of said plurality of cards representing a gift. A play surface for positioning a predetermined number of cards from the plurality of cards is provided. Means for identifying each of the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface and means for ranking a predetermined number of gifts represented on the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface are included. [0016] Each of the plurality of cards includes a first side and a second side. The first side of each card has a first indicia representing the gift and the second side has a second indicia representing a second gift. The play surface includes an organization structure such that each of the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface may be referenced by a unique indicia. The means for identifying is preferably identifying markers having a first side and a second side. The first side of the identifying marker includes a unique indicia corresponding to the unique indicia on the play surface. The means for ranking is preferably a ranking marker having a first side and a second side. Associated with the first side of the ranking marker is a ranking value which is associated with a point value. [0017] The game may also include a preference board which has an organization structure corresponding to the organization structure of the play surface. The ranking marker may be positioned on the preference board so as to attribute the ranking value to at least one gift represented by the predetermined number of cards on the play surface. The game may also include a score board and a game marker wherein the game marker is maneuverable along the score board to record advancement through the game. The game may also include at least one blocking card for eliminating one of the gifts on the playing surface and at least one multiplication card for increasing the point value. [0018] A game kit is also provided, the game kit including a plurality of cards, each of the plurality of cards representing at least one gift and instructions for using the plurality of cards in a game. The game includes a play surface for positioning a predetermined number of cards from the plurality of cards; means for identifying each of the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface; and means for ranking a predetermined number of gifts represented by the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface. [0019] In accordance with the present invention, the method of playing the discernment game includes the steps of: [0020] a) positioning on a play surface a predetermined number of cards selected from a plurality of cards, each of the plurality of cards representing at least one gift; [0021] b) selecting at least one chosen gift from among the plurality of cards representing at least one gift positioned on the play surface; [0022] c) giving from a first player of the game to a second player of the game one identifying marker selected by the first player from among a plurality of identifying markers for identifying each of the predetermined number of cards positioned on the play surface, the one identifying marker corresponding to the at least one chosen gift; [0023] d) associating in order of preference by the second player at least one ranking marker with at least one gift selected from among the plurality of cards representing at least one gift positioned on the play surface; [0024] e) awarding a predetermined number of points to the first player if the one identifying marker corresponding to the at least one chosen gift corresponds with the at least one selected gift selected by the second player; and [0025] f) awarding a predetermined number of points to the second player if the at least one chosen gift corresponds with the at least one selected gift. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0026] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Continue reading... Full patent description for Discernment game and method of play Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Discernment game and method of play 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. 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