System and Method for Playing Trading Card Game

Abstract

The following invention is a method and system for producing and using a trading card game that facilitates the learning of foreign languages. The cards comprise a bifold design that allows the display of the pronunciation, symbolic representation, and meaning of a foreign language character on a trading card. The card comprises a challenge element that permits the rules of the game to change depending on whether the user of the game correctly responds to the challenge element. Each card also comprises a unique identifying element that allows interface between the card game and a handheld electronic device. This allows high replay value for the trading card game while also enhancing the educational benefit of the game.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An educational trading card game comprising:
 a plurality of bifold cards each having four faces, wherein
 a first face has a substantially similar appearance on more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards; 
 a second face of more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards comprises a challenge element; and 
 a third face of more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards comprises an answer to the challenge element of the second face of a same card. 
   
     
     
         2 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein a face of more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards comprises a unique identifying element. 
     
     
         3 . The educational trading card game of  claim 2  wherein the unique identifying element is embedded in at least one of the cards. 
     
     
         4 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the cards comprises a folded edge that is protected by a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         5 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the faces of at least one of the bifold cards is displayed on a handheld electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . A method for producing an educational trading card game comprising:
 printing a set of bifold cards each having four faces, wherein
 a first face of the four faces comprises a standard design that appears substantially the same on more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards; 
 a second face of the four faces of more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards comprises a challenge element; and 
 a third face of the four faces of more than one card of the plurality of bifold cards comprises an answer to the challenge element of the second face of a same card. 
   
     
     
         7 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of cards comprises a unique identifying element that is configured to be read by a handheld electronic device and prompt the handheld electronic device to display content related to the card comprising the unique identifying element that was read by the handheld electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of cards comprises a unique identifying element that is configured to be read by a handheld electronic device and prompt the handheld electronic device to produce an audio pronunciation of the challenge element on the card comprising the unique identifying element that was read by the handheld electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of cards comprises a unique identifying element that is configured to be read by a handheld electronic device and prompt the handheld electronic device to launch software that comprises a game to test a user's knowledge of the challenge element on the card comprising the unique identifying element that was read by the handheld electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The educational trading card game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of cards comprises a unique identifying element that is configured to be read by a handheld electronic device and prompt the handheld electronic device to check a user's pronunciation of the challenge element on the card comprising the unique identifying element that was read by the handheld electronic device.