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Trivia games and related methodsRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Problem Eliciting Response, Questions And AnswersTrivia games and related methods description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060181028, Trivia games and related methods. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/633,362, filed Dec. 4, 2004, which is entitled "Trivia Game and Related Methods", and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] During the last several decades, consumers have become increasingly interested in trivia-style board and computer games. Such games are now commonplace in homes, at recreation centers, on college campuses, in bars and restaurants, and many other places where people come together and socialize. [0003] Traditional trivia-style games provide a heavy advantage to players having the most detailed knowledge of the subject matter. For example, players with greater knowledge of history typically have an advantage when playing games featuring historical trivia. In many existing games today, a player who is an expert in the field can accumulate points or otherwise advance far ahead of other players, often weakening the enjoyment and entertainment value of the game. Accordingly, there is a need for improved trivia games that allow players of diverse skill levels to play and compete on a more equitable basis. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] A method of determining a score within the context of a game according to various embodiments of the invention comprises the steps of: (1) determining a best score that a player may achieve for answering a particular trivia question, the trivia question having a correct answer; (2) presenting the particular trivia question to the player (e.g., by verbally asking the player the question or by displaying the question on a computer display screen); (3) receiving, from the player, a first answer to the trivia question; (4) in response to the first answer being the correct answer to the trivia question, awarding the best score to the player; (5) in response to the first answer not being the correct answer to the trivia question, allowing the player to provide a second answer to the trivia question; and (6) in response to the second answer to the trivia question being the correct answer to the trivia question, awarding a second score (e.g., a second best score) to the player, the second score being inferior to the best score. In certain embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of identifying a third score that is inferior to the second score, and, in response to the second answer to the trivia question not being the correct answer to the trivia question, awarding the third score to the player. [0005] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the "best score" corresponds to a score of birdie on a particular virtual hole of golf, and the second best score corresponds to a score of par on the particular virtual hole of golf. Similarly, the "best score"may correspond to a score of par on a particular virtual hole of golf, and the second best score may correspond to a score of bogie on the particular virtual hole of golf. [0006] In other embodiments of the invention, the best score corresponds to a number of race track segments to be advanced by a player on a particular turn, and the second best score corresponds to this number of race track segments minus one. [0007] A golf game method according to various embodiments of the invention comprises: (1) using a chance element to determine a best score to be earned by a player for a particular virtual hole of golf; (2) presenting a trivia question to the player, the trivia question having a correct answer; (3) receiving, from the player, a first answer to the trivia question; (4) in response to the first answer being the correct answer to the trivia question, designating the best score as the player's score for the particular virtual hole of golf; (5) in response to the first answer not being the correct answer to the trivia question, prompting the player to provide a second answer to the trivia question; and (6) in response to the second answer to the trivia question being the correct answer, designating a second-best score as the player's score for the particular virtual hole of golf. [0008] A racing game method according to certain embodiments of the invention comprises: (1) using a chance element to determine a highest number of spaces to be advanced by a particular player on a particular turn; (2) presenting a trivia question to the particular player, the trivia question having a correct answer; (3) receiving, from the particular player, a first answer to the trivia question; (4) in response to the first answer being the correct answer to the trivia question, allowing the player to advance the highest number of spaces on the particular turn; (5) in response to the first answer not being the correct answer to the trivia question, prompting the player to provide a second answer to the trivia question; and (6) in response to the second answer to the trivia question being the correct answer, allowing the player to advance a second highest number of spaces on the particular turn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [0010] FIG. 1 is a flowchart generally illustrating a scoring method according to one embodiment of the invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a golf game scoring method according to a particular embodiment of the invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a game board used to perform a golf game method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a segment of the game board of FIG. 3, depicting one golf hole, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 5 is perspective view of a golf-themed chance element, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0015] FIG. 6A is a detail view of one surface of a trivia card, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 6B is a detail view of an opposing surface of the trivia card, depicted in FIG. 6A, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a racing game scoring method according to one embodiment of the invention. [0018] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a game board used to perform a racing game method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 9 is perspective view of a racing-themed chance element, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0020] FIG. 10A is a detail view of one surface of a trivia card, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Continue reading about Trivia games and related methods... Full patent description for Trivia games and related methods Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Trivia games and related methods 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 Trivia games and related methods or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Taraccatm table card game Next Patent Application: Cooling arrangement for brush seal Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Trivia games and related methods patent info. 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