Interactive knowledge based game system

Abstract

A computerized system for operating a skill or knowledge based interactive game and several new modes of play for such a game. The invention is applicable to single or multi player ‘trivia’ or other knowledge based games, and could also be applied to games where the player's visual observation skills are tested and rewarded. It is particularly useful to public venues such as bars, taverns or social clubs as it provides entertainment and prizes for the patrons and cash revenue to the owner/operator of the premises. The incorporation of a discrete player input to designate an answer not included in the displayed answer group i.e. “None of the Above” or “Bogus” enhances game play and enjoyment.

1 : An interactive knowledge based game system comprising a central control unit consisting of a display system  102  and general purpose computer  101  interconnected with and communicating bidirectionally with one or more player terminal devices  106  using any available communication method. Said general-purpose computer includes hardware, software  104  and database components to operate and display a knowledge based game and interact with the location management and player terminal devices to set and operate the game parameters, determine the player's responses to displayed questions and provide necessary interaction therewith.  
   
   
       2 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which each player terminal device includes a plurality of input indicating devices to convey to the central control unit the user's intended response and the time thereof, with one of the input indicating devices dedicated to conveying the user's selection representing an answer of “None of the Above” or “Bogus”.  
   
   
       3 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which each player terminal device internally contains a unique identification which can be communicated to the central control unit  
   
   
       4 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which each player terminal device may also incorporate provision for an external user identification token which can be communicated to the central control unit.  
   
   
       5 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which new knowledge based questions and answers may be provided to the system in a secure manner by allowing transfer of question data to the game database only after verification of security protocols contained in one or more of the attached player terminal devices.  
   
   
       6 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which each game database question/answer record may be additionally tagged or coded to indicate a geographic, ethnographic or other similar qualifier for the display of said question/answer and an operator interface within the game system allows display of the data record only in agreement with the coded qualifier.  
   
   
       7 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which each game database question/answer record may be additionally tagged or coded to indicate a valid time frame for the display of said question/answer and a real-time clock function within the game system allows display of the data record only during the coded valid time frame.  
   
   
       8 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which each game database question/answer record may be encrypted, and any new data supplied to the system may also be encrypted, and the decryption key may be contained in or derived from one or more of the player terminals unique identifiers and communicated to the controller.  
   
   
       9 : Said interactive knowledge based game system in  claim 1  in which additional database records may be entered into a system manually through a user interface or other means by the owner or operator of the system to provide local ‘flavor’ to the question database.