EP2477704A1

EP2477704A1 - A game device with impact indication

Info

Publication number: EP2477704A1
Application number: EP10759605A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Roy Barry; Martin Donnelly; Colin O' Brien
Original assignee: MD Product Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: MD Product Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-16
Filing date: 2010-09-15
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Also published as: IE20090702A1; WO2011032985A1; US20120231906A1

Abstract

A game device (1) comprises a ball (2) and twelve indicators (3). Each indicator (3) comprises a suction cavity (4) and a release ring (5). Each indicator (3) may be releasably attached by suction to the ball (2) by manipulating the suction cavity (4) of the indicator (3) to create a suction force between the indicator (3) and the ball (2). The release ring (5) protrudes from the ball (2) substantially perpendicular to an external surface of the ball (2). Upon an impact to the release ring (5), for example a user kicking the device (1), the release ring (5) acts to release the suction attachment force between the indicator (3) and the ball (2). The indicator (3) thus becomes detached from the ball (2). By detaching the indicator (3) from the ball (2), the indicator (3) acts to indicate the region of the impact to the game device (1).

Description

A GAME DEVICE WITH IMPACT INDICATION

Introduction This invention relates to a game device.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a game device comprising means to indicate the region of an impact to the device.

The game device may be used as a test of a user's skills. For example a user may attempt to kick the device with the user's foot or leg, or impact the device with the user's head at a pre-determined number of regions on the outer surface of the device. By indicating the region of the impacts to the device, the game device enables a user to know whether the user's attempts were successful.

In one embodiment of the invention the indicating means is releasably attachable to a main body of the device. The indicating means may be attachable by suction to the main body of the device. Preferably the indicating means comprises a suction cavity for creating a suction force between the indicating means and the main body of the device. The indicating means may comprise a first attachment element, and the main body of the device may comprise a second attachment element for mating with the corresponding first attachment element. Preferably one of the first attachment element or the second attachment element comprises a male element, and the other of the second attachment element or the first attachment element comprises a corresponding female element. The attachment element may comprise a magnetic material. The attachment element may comprise a loop-and-pile fastener material. Preferably the indicating means is configured to become detached from the main body of the device upon an impact to the device. When the indicating means becomes detached from the main body of the device, this provides a simple visual indication that a region of the device has been impacted. Ideally the indicating means comprises one or more release elements for releasing an attachment force between the indicating means and the main body of the device upon an impact to the one or more release elements. The release element may be configured to protrude from the main body of the device. The release element may be configured to extend substantially parallel to an external surface of the main body of the device. In another embodiment the indicating means comprises means to emit energy.

Preferably the indicating means comprises means to emit light.

In one case at least part of the indicating means is housed within a main body of the device. At least part of the indicating means may be located in the region of an outer wall of the main body of the device. At least part of the indicating means may be located in the region of the centre of the main body of the device. Preferably the indicating means comprises means to determine whether the device has been impacted. Ideally the determining means is configured to determine the region of an impact to the device. The determining means may comprise one or more pressure sensors. The determining means may comprise an accelerometer. Preferably the indicating means comprises means to emit energy upon an impact to the device. By emitting energy, this provides a simple indication that the device has been impacted. Ideally the indicating means is configured to emit energy at the region of an impact to the device. By emitting energy at the region of impact, this provides a simple indication that this particular region of the device has been impacted. Most preferably the indicating means comprises means to emit light.

In another case the device comprises means to communicate between the indicating means and an ancillary device. This arrangement enables data relating to a user's attempts to kick the device with the user's foot or leg, or impact the device with the user's head at a pre-determined number of regions on the outer surface of the device to be stored. This data may include the number of regions which the user was successful in impacting, and/or the time required for the user to impact the number of regions, and/or which regions were impacted. This data may be stored using any suitable means, for example a mobile telephone, and/or a portable memory device such as a USB key, and/or a computer memory drive.

In one embodiment a main body of the device comprises a ball. In another embodiment the invention provides a computer implemented game device.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program product comprising computer program code capable of causing a game device to operate as described herein when the computer program product is run on a computer system.

The computer program product may be embodied on a record medium. The computer program product may be embodied on a carrier signal. The computer program product may be embodied on a read-only memory. The invention also provides in a further aspect an indicating means to indicate the region of an impact to a game device.

In one embodiment of the invention the indicating means is releasably attachable to a main body of a game device. The indicating means may be attachable by suction to a main body of a game device. Preferably the indicating means comprises a suction cavity for creating a suction force between the indicating means and a main body of a game device. The indicating means may comprise a first attachment element for mating with a corresponding second attachment element on a main body of a game device. Preferably one of the first attachment element or the second attachment element comprises a male element, and the other of the second attachment element or the first attachment element comprises a corresponding female element. The attachment element may comprise a magnetic material. The attachment element may comprise a loop-and-pile fastener material. Preferably the indicating means is configured to become detached from a main body of a game device upon an impact to a game device. Ideally the indicating means comprises one or more release elements for releasing an attachment force between the indicating means and a main body of a game device upon an impact to the one or more release elements. The release element may be configured to protrude from a main body of a game device. The release element may be configured to extend substantially parallel to an external surface of a main body of a game device.

In another embodiment the indicating means comprises means to emit energy.

Preferably the indicating means comprises means to emit light.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a game device according to the invention with an indicating means detached from a main body of the device, Fig. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the game device of Fig. 1 with the indicating means detached from the main body of the device,

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the game device of Fig. 1 with the indicating means attached to the main body of the device, Fig. 4 is a cut-away isometric view of the game device of Fig. 1 with the indicating means attached to the main body of the device,

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the indicating means of the game device of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a cut-away isometric view of the indicating means of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of an indicating means of another game device according to the invention,

Fig. 8 is a cut-away isometric view from below of the indicating means of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a cut-away isometric view from above of the indicating means of Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of an indicating means of another game device according to the invention,

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of an indicating means of another game device according to the invention,

Fig. 12 is an isometric view of another game device according to the invention with an indicating means detached from a main body of the device,

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the game device of Fig. 12 with the indicating means detached from the main body of the device,

Fig. 14 is an isometric view of the game device of Fig. 12 with the indicating means attached to the main body of the device, Fig. 15 is an isometric view from above of the indicating means of the game device of Fig. 12,

Fig. 16 is an isometric view from below of the indicating means of Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is an isometric view of another game device according to the invention with an indicating means detached from a main body of the device,

Fig. 18 is an isometric view of the main body of the device of the game device of Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is an isometric view of the game device of Fig. 17 with the indicating means attached to the main body of the device, Fig. 20 is an isometric view of another game device according to the invention with an indicating means detached from a main body of the device,

Figs. 21 and 22 are isometric views of the game device of Fig. 20 with the indicating means detached from the main body of the device,

Fig. 23 is an isometric view of another game device according to the invention, Fig. 24 is a cut-away isometric view of the game device of Fig. 23, Fig. 25 is an isometric view of another game device according to the invention, Fig. 26 is a cut-away isometric view of the game device of Fig. 25, and Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of the game device of Fig. 25. Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, there is illustrated a game device 1 according to the invention.

The game device 1 comprises a ball 2 and twelve indicators 3.

In this case the ball 2 is provided in the form of an inflatable soccer ball. The ball 2 may be a standard ball or a training ball.

Each indicator 3 comprises a suction cavity 4 and a release ring 5. The indicator 3 may be releasably attached by suction to the ball 2 by manipulating the suction cavity 4 of the indicator 3 to create a suction force between the indicator 3 and the ball 2 (Fig. 4). The release ring 5 protrudes from the ball 2 substantially perpendicular to an external surface of the ball 2.

Upon an impact to the release ring 5, for example a user kicking the device 1 with the user's foot or leg, or impacting the device 1 with the user's head, the release ring 5 acts to release the suction attachment force between the indicator 3 and the ball 2. The indicator 3 thus becomes detached from the ball 2. By detaching the indicator 3 from the ball 2, the indicator 3 acts to indicate the region of the impact to the game device 1. In use, the ball 2 is inflated. The twelve indicators 3 are releasably attached by suction to the ball 2 by manipulating the suction cavity 4 of each indicator 3 to create a suction force between the indicator 3 and the ball 2 (Fig. 4). Upon an impact to the release ring 5 of one of the indicators 3, for example a user kicking the device 1 with the user's foot or leg, or impacting the device 1 with the user's head, the release ring 5 acts to release the suction attachment force between the indicator 3 and the ball 2. The indicator 3 thus becomes detached from the ball 2.

Fig. 1 illustrates the mechanical suction arrangement. The element 3 may be fixed to the exterior of the ball 2 by suction. The vacuum cup 3 is placed in position and pushed to seal. Upon a kick or head applied, the outer rim 5 dislodges the disc 3. The finger 5 protrudes from the element 3 to assist removal of the suction when the element 3 is kicked. The disc 3 then falls away to the ground.

A timer device may be employed to time how long it takes a user to knock each element 3 off the ball 2.

In Figs. 7 to 9 there is illustrated an indicator 10 of another game device according the invention, which is similar to the game device 1 of Figs. 1 to 6, and similar elements in Figs. 7 to 9 are assigned the same reference numerals.

Fig. 10 illustrate an indicator 20 of a further game device according to the invention, which is similar to the game device 1 of Figs. 1 to 6, and similar elements in Fig. 10 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case the indicator 20 comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) 21 to emit light. Fig. 10 illustrates the LEDs 21 embedded into the suction cup 20.

Referring to Fig. 11 there is illustrated an indicator 30 of another game device according to the invention, which is similar to the indicator 20 of Fig. 10, and similar elements in Fig. 11 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case the indicator 30 comprises one LED 31 to emit light. Fig. 11 illustrates the single LED 31 in the centre of the suction cup 30. In Figs. 12 to 16 there is illustrated another game device 40 according to the invention, which is similar to the game device 1 of Figs. 1 to 6, and similar elements in Figs. 12 to 16 are assigned the same reference numerals. Fig. 14 illustrates the vacuum cup 3 placed in position and pushed to seal. Upon a kick or head applied, the outer member pulls up the sealing rim. The cup 3 is thus released from the football 2.

Figs. 17 to 19 illustrate a further game device 50 according to the invention, which is similar to the game device 1 of Figs. 1 to 6, and similar elements in Figs. 17 to 19 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case each indicator 3 comprises a protruding male attachment element 51. The ball 2 comprises twelve corresponding female attachment elements 52 for mating with each corresponding male attachment element 51 in a latching arrangement. The indicator 3 may be releasably attached to the ball 2 by interengaging the male attachment element 51 with the female attachment element 52.

Upon an impact to the indicator 3, for example a user kicking the device 50 with the user's foot or leg, or impacting the device 50 with the user's head, the male attachment element 51 becomes disengaged from the female attachment element 52. The indicator 3 thus becomes detached from the ball 2. By detaching the indicator 3 from the ball 2, the indicator 3 acts to indicate the region of the impact to the game device 50.

Fig. 17 illustrates the mechanical touch latch with the female receptor 52 embedded in the ball 2 and the male component 51 adhered to the disc 3. The male attachment element 51 is manually pushed into place. The disc 3 is released once kicked. The twelve plastic elements 3 are fixed to the exterior of the ball 2 by the mechanical catches 51, 52. Referring to Figs. 20 to 22 there is illustrated another game device 60 according to the invention, which is similar to the game device 50 of Figs. 17 to 19, and similar elements in Figs. 20 to 22 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case each indicator 3 comprises a first attachment element 61, a release arm 63, and an abutment nose 64. The first attachment element 61 comprises a magnetic material. The ball 2 comprises twelve corresponding second attachment elements 62 for mating with each corresponding first attachment element 61. Each second attachment element 62 comprises a magnetic material. The indicator 3 may be releasably attached to the ball 2 by engaging the first attachment element 61 with the second attachment element 62. When the indicator 3 is attached to the ball 2, the abutment nose 64 engages against an external surface of the ball 2, and the release arm 63 extends substantially parallel to the external surface of the ball 2.

Upon an impact to the release arm 63 of the indicator 3, for example a user kicking the device 60 with the user's foot or leg, or impacting the device 60 with the user's head, the release arm 63 pivots about the abutment nose 64 to disengage the first attachment element 61 from the second attachment element 62. The indicator 3 thus becomes detached from the ball 2. By detaching the indicator 3 from the ball 2, the indicator 3 acts to indicate the region of the impact to the game device 60.

It will be appreciated that the indicator 3 may be releasably attached to the ball 2 by a variety of possible means, for example the attachment element may comprise a loop- and-pile fastener material such as Velcro, and/or an adhesive material, and/or by means of electrical static.

Fig. 20 illustrates the mechanical Velcro/magnet arrangement. The Velcro/magnet 62 is embedded into the football 2, and the Velcro/magnet 61 is located on the disc 3. The disc 3 is manually placed into position. Once kicked or headed, the cantilever action releases the disc 3. The twelve plastic elements 3 may be fixed to the exterior of the ball 2 by Velcro or by magnets.

In Figs. 23 and 24 there is illustrated another game device 70 according to the invention, which is similar to the game device 1 of Figs. 1 to 6, and similar elements in Figs. 23 and 24 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case the game device 70 is a computer implemented game device. The game device 70 comprises twelve indicators.

Each indicator comprises a pressure sensor and an LED. The pressure sensor acts to determine whether the game device 70 has been impacted, for example a user kicking the device 70 with the user's foot or leg, or impacting the device 70 with the user's head. The LED emits light upon an impact to the game device 70. The game device 70 comprises a controller to control operation of the LEDs responsive to the readings of the pressure sensors. In particular the controller monitors the pressure sensors to determine the region of an impact to the game device 70, and activates the appropriate LED to emit light at the region of the impact to the game device 70. By emitting light, the indicator acts to indicate the region of the impact to the game device 70.

Each indicator is housed within the ball 2 embedded in the outer wall 71 of the ball 2.

The controller comprises means to communicate between the controller and an ancillary device, such as a mobile telephone, and/or a portable memory device such as a USB key, and/or a computer memory drive. The communication may be by means of wireless, or infrared, or Bluetooth or any other suitable means.

Fig. 23 illustrates the touch pads which determine if the ball 2 is impacted by a head or a foot. The twelve LEDs are provided on the ball 2 located in the centre of each star pattern. A start button 72 and a charger connection point 73 are provided in the external surface of the ball 2.

Fig. 24 illustrates the outer cover 74, a 4mm thick foam inner lining 75, and an air bladder 76. The circuit processes the signals from the touch pads. A battery,

Bluetooth communication means, and the circuit board may be stored in a housing 77.

Figs. 25 to 27 illustrate a further game device 80 according to the invention, which is similar to the game device 70 of Figs. 23 and 24, and similar elements in Figs. 25 to 27 are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case the game device 80 comprises a single indicator.

The indicator comprises an accelerometer and an LED. The accelerometer acts to determine whether the game device 80 has been impacted, for example a user kicking the device 80 with the user's foot or leg, or impacting the device 80 with the user's head. The LED emits light upon an impact to the game device 80. The game device 80 comprises a controller to control operation of the LED responsive to the reading of the accelerometer. In particular the controller monitors the accelerometer to determine the region of an impact to the game device 80, and activates the LED to emit light in the appropriate direction at the region of the impact to the game device 80. By emitting light, the indicator acts to indicate the region of the impact to the game device 80. The indicator is housed within the ball 2 in the region of the centre of the ball 2.

Passageways 81 are provided between the centre of the ball 2 and the outer wall 71 of the ball 2 for passage of light from the LED to the outer wall 71 of the ball 2.

Fig. 26 illustrates the transparent panel 82 and the leather panel 83. Fig. 27 illustrates the light shining from the centre. The electronic housing with the accelerometer detects the direction of a kick. The light is then directed to that position. The embodiments of the invention described previously with reference to the accompanying drawings comprise a computer system and processes performed by the computer system. However the invention also extends to computer programs comprising computer program code capable of causing a game device to operate as described herein when the computer program product is run on a computer system, particularly computer programs stored on or in a carrier adapted to bring the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, or a code intermediate source and object code, such as in partially compiled form or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the invention. The carrier may comprise a storage medium such as ROM, such as a CD-ROM, or magnetic recording medium, such as a floppy disk or hard disk. The carrier may be an electrical or optical signal which may be transmitted via an electrical or an optical cable or by radio or other means.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

A game device comprising means to indicate the region of an impact to the device.

A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicating means is releasably attachable to a main body of the device.

A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the indicating means is attachable by suction to the main body of the device.

A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indicating means comprises a suction cavity for creating a suction force between the indicating means and the main body of the device.

A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the indicating means comprises a first attachment element, and the main body of the device comprises a second attachment element for mating with the corresponding first attachment element.

A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein one of the first attachment element or the second attachment element comprises a male element, and the other of the second attachment element or the first attachment element comprises a corresponding female element.

A device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the attachment element comprises a magnetic material.

A device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the attachment element comprises a loop-and-pile fastener material. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the indicating means is configured to become detached from the main body of the device upon an impact to the device.

A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the indicating means comprises one or more release elements for releasing an attachment force between the indicating means and the main body of the device upon an impact to the one or more release elements.

A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the release element is configured to protrude from the main body of the device.

A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the release element is configured to extend substantially parallel to an external surface of the main body of the device.

A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 12 wherein the indicating means comprises means to emit energy.

A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the indicating means comprises means to emit light.

A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least part of the indicating means is housed within a main body of the device.

A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least part of the indicating means is located in the region of an outer wall of the main body of the device.

17. A device as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein at least part of the indicating means is located in the region of the centre of the main body of the device.

18. A device as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the indicating means comprises means to determine whether the device has been impacted.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the determining means is configured to determine the region of an impact to the device.

20. A device as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the determining means

comprises one or more pressure sensors.

21. A device as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20 wherein the determining means comprises an accelerometer.

22. A device as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21 wherein the indicating means comprises means to emit energy upon an impact to the device.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the indicating means is configured to emit energy at the region of an impact to the device.

24. A device as claimed in claim 22 or 23 wherein the indicating means comprises means to emit light.

25. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24 wherein the device comprises means to communicate between the indicating means and an ancillary device.

26. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25 wherein a main body of the device comprises a ball.

27. A computer implemented game device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 26.

28. A game device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

29. A computer program product comprising computer program code capable of causing a game device to operate as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28 when the computer program product is run on a computer system.

30. A computer program product as claimed in claim 29 wherein the computer program product is embodied on a record medium.

31. A computer program product as claimed in claim 29 wherein the computer program product is embodied on a carrier signal.

32. A computer program product as claimed in claim 29 wherein the computer program product is embodied on a read-only memory.

33. An indicating means to indicate the region of an impact to a game device.

34. An indicating means as claimed in claim 33 wherein the indicating means is releasably attachable to a main body of a game device.

35. An indicating means as claimed in claim 34 wherein the indicating means is attachable by suction to a main body of a game device.

36. An indicating means as claimed in claim 35 wherein the indicating means comprises a suction cavity for creating a suction force between the indicating means and a main body of a game device.

An indicating means as claimed in claim 34 wherein the indicating means comprises a first attachment element for mating with a corresponding second attachment element on a main body of a game device.

An indicating means as claimed in claim 37 wherein one of the first attachment element or the second attachment element comprises a male element, and the other of the second attachment element or the first attachment element comprises a corresponding female element.

An indicating means as claimed in claim 37 or 38 wherein the attachment element comprises a magnetic material.

An indicating means as claimed in claim 37 or 38 wherein the attachment element comprises a loop-and-pile fastener material.

An indicating means as claimed in any of claims 34 to 40 wherein the indicating means is configured to become detached from a main body of a game device upon an impact to a game device.

An indicating means as claimed in claim 41 wherein the indicating means comprises one or more release elements for releasing an attachment force between the indicating means and a main body of a game device upon an impact to the one or more release elements.

An indicating means as claimed in claim 42 wherein the release element is configured to protrude from a main body of a game device.

44. An indicating means as claimed in claim 42 wherein the release element is configured to extend substantially parallel to an external surface of a main body of a game device.

45. An indicating means as claimed in any of claims 33 to 44 wherein the indicating means comprises means to emit energy.

46. An indicating means as claimed in claim 45 wherein the indicating means comprises means to emit light.

47. An indicating means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.