Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
INTERACTIVE PLAYING/TRADING CARD SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 j The present invention relates to playing and trading cards.
More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an interactive
playing/trading card system including a card reader assembly configured to
read information on specially marked or encoded playing cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The playing/trading card business is a market that has been
profitable in a variety of fields, such as sports, entertainment, environment,
and
even in relation to public personalities. Nevertheless, even though the market
of playing/trading cards has been active for a number of years, new
developments in computer and video games are arguably endangering the
playing card industry.
[0003] Indeed, the current cardboard cards industry doesn't
necessarily guarantee the capacities to sustain fascination so as to feed the
imagination of tomorrows' children. The traditional card collecting and
trading
card games business is facing a questionable future. The proliferation of
interactive audio and video games for the youth market is an obvious incentive
to expand the opportunities that card games can offer.
[0004) The conventional mainstream business is the business of
playing/trading card games, i.e., games that are portable and social,
consisting
in a product that can be touched and manipulated, and also in a product that
has emotional and trading value.
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[0005] Recently, on the one hand, developments in several
interactive technologies have intensified and are extending towards more
challenging expectations and requests. Meanwhile, on the other hand,
playing/trading cards have kept relying on the same low technology.
Interestingly, however, new technologies have not been that detrimental to the
playing/trading card business, as testified by the commercial success of new
adventure card games, such as "Magic The Gathering~".
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an
improved interactive playing/trading card system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention,
there is provided an interactive card system comprising:
at least one card provided with encoded data;
a card reader assembly including:
a controller;
a card reader connected to said controller; said card
reader being configured to decode the data provided on said at
least one card;
memory associated with said controller; said memory
being configured to store data relating to said at least one card;
an output device connected to said controller;
wherein said controller is so configured that when the encoded
data of one of said at least one card is decoded by said card reader, a
corresponding portion of said memory is accessed by said controller and
is supplied to said output device.
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[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a card reader assembly to read encoded data provided on a card;
said assembly comprising:
a controller;
a card reader connected to said controller; said card reader being
configured to decode the data encoded on a card;
memory associated with said controller; said memory being
configured to store data relating to said card;
an output device connected to said controller;
wherein said controller is so configured that when the encoded
data of a card is decoded by said card reader, a corresponding portion of said
memory is accessed by said controller and supplied to said output device.
(0009] According to a final aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a An interactive card system comprising:
at least one card provided with encoded data;
a card reader assembly including:
controlling means;
card reading means connected to said controlling means;
said card reading means decoding the data provided on said at
least one card;
memory associated with said controlling means to store
data relating to said at least one card;
output means connected to said controlling means;
wherein said controlling is so configured that when the encoded
data of one of said at least one card is decoded by said card reading means, a
corresponding portion of said memory is accessed by said controlling means
and supplied to said output means.
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[0010] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-
restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the appended drawings:
[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram view illustrating a card
reader system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating a playing/trading card
provided with a bar code printed on its lower peripheral portion;
[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating a playing/trading card
similar to the card illustrated in Figure 2 but provided with a color code
printed
on its lower peripheral portion using so called "invisible ink"; and
[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating a playing/trading card
similar to the card illustrated in Figure 2 but provided with a microchip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] In a nutshell, the present innovation consists in a card reader
system configured to detect a code provided on playing/trading cards, and to
provide interactive features based on the recognition of the specific card
used.
[0017] Advantageously, the encoding on the playing/trading card is
such that the final look of the card is essentially similar or identical to
that of
conventional playing cards.
[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the appended figures. This embodiment includes
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two major elements: a card reader assembly, as illustrated in Figure 1, and
encoded playing/trading cards, three variations of which are illustrated in
Figures 2 to 4.
(0019] Turning now to Figure 1 of the appended drawings, a card
reader assembly 10 will be described. As it can be seen from this figure, the
card reader assembly includes a controller 12 used as the common link
between the other elements of the assembly 10, including preferably an output
device 18, a card reader 14 and a memory 16.
[0020] Optionally, the card reader assembly 10 may also include an
input device 20 and/or a connection 21 to a network of computers 22 such as,
for example, the Internet, as will be described hereinbelow.
(0021] The controller 12 consists in an electronic circuit (not shown)
that comprises a processor and ports for connection to the other elements of
the assembly 10. Of course, a personal computer provided with adequate
software may be used as the controller 12.
[0022] The technology used in the card reader 14 varies according
to the technology used for the encoding of the data in the playing card. It is
believed that one skilled in the art would be in a position to design a card
reader compatible with the encoding technology used.
[0023] The memory 16 may advantageously comprise a flash
memory card and an associated reader connected to the controller 12. As will
be described hereinbelow, this allows the use of the card reader assembly 10
with playing/trading cards that are used for different games.
[0024] Alternatively, the memory 16 may be a conventional memory,
preloaded in a "locked" state by the manufacturer. In this case, a special
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playing/trading card allows to partially or totally "unlock" the data stored
in the
memory.
[0025] The output device 18 may take many forms depending on the
vocation of the card reader assembly 10, as will be described hereinbelow. For
example, the output device 18 may take the form of an audio speaker, a
computer monitor or any other type of multimedia device.
[0026] Depending on the type of game played with the card reader
assembly 10, and of the sophistication of the controller 12, an optional input
device may also be provided to let the users) enter additional data into the
controller 12 as will be described hereinbelow.
[0027] The optional connection 21 to an external computer network
22 such as, for example, the Internet, is advantageously used to download
game rules and store them in the memory 16, or to download special features.
[0028] A first embodiment of a playing/trading card 24 will now be
described with reference to Figure 2. It is to be noted that even though the
playing card illustrated in Figure 2 (and similarly in Figures 3 and 4
described
hereinbelow) are examples of cards from the game called "Magic The
Gathering~", the present invention is not limited to this particular game or
even
to this particular type of game as will be apparent from the ongoing
description.
For concision purposes, only this type of playing card will be described
herein
since one skilled in the art can easily adapt the present description to other
types of playing/trading cards.
[0029] The playing card 24 is divided into three main parts: an
illustration portion 26, which displays an image related to the card; a
description
portion 28 giving information about the nature of the card; and a portion 30
dedicated for encoding, containing a bar code (or a binary code) that is
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readable by the card reader 14, which, when this type of coding technology is
used, includes a bar code reader.
[0030] For illustration purposes, the operation of the system will now
be described with reference to the above mentioned game called "Magic The
Gathering~".
[0031] Generally stated, the main purpose of the game "Magic The
Gathering" is to build an army of "creatures" devoted to protect the player
from attacks launched by the other players. Three main types of cards exist:
the land cards (repuired to cast spells and to summon the creatures); the
creature cards (for example, Figure 2 illustrates a creature card); and the
spell
cards, which can be used to modify the features of creatures or to deal
virtual
damage to opponent players. By gathering as many land cards as possible, the
players may use those cards to put creatures or spells into play.
[0032] As the game begins, each player is allocated a
predetermined number of life points. A player looses the game should he run
out of life points.
[0033] There are many ways to enhance interactivity in this type of
game, examples of which will now be described.
[0034] A first mode of interactivity consists in having the output
device 18, in this case an audio speaker, voice the text included in the
description portion 28 of the card 24. To implement such a feature, the
memory 16 is loaded with the descriptions of all the possible cards and the
controller 12 accesses the portion of the memory 16 corresponding to the
particular card 24 introduced in the card reader 14 as determined by the
coding
of the encoded portion 30, as read by the card reader 14. Various other
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sounds and special effects may also be associated with the cards to increase
the thrill of the gaming experience.
[0035] As a possible variation of this first mode, the card reader
reads a sequence of cards before the output device plays a message back.
For example, if a player puts a creature into play and casts a spell that
modifies
the features of the creature, the multimedia output device gives a message
reflecting these modifications. The interactive message may be an audio signal
or a video display, for example.
[0036] In a second possible mode of interactivity, the programming
of the controller 12 includes the rules of the game and the possible
interactions
between the different cards. In this mode, the optional input device 20 is
advantageously used to indicate to the controller which player is taking a
playing turn. Each player can thereby receive advice from the controller in
return for disclosure of his hand to the controller, for example. The output
device 18 may include separate speakers, such as earphones for example, and
the controller may supply personal information to each player. Similarly, the
input device 20 may include a keypad for each player.
[0037] Alternatively, one card reader assembly is provided for each
player. These separate card reader assemblies communicate with one another
via their respective computer network interface 21, which may consist in
wireless communication links such as infrared communication links. Of course,
the game may also be played over a computer network 22.
[0038] It is to be noted that this same level of interactivity can be
achieved with a conventional card playing deck including 52 cards, provided
the cards are modified so as to include a coding thereon. In this case, the
controller 12 is provided with the rules of the specific game played and
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independently provides advice to the players or insures that the rules of the
game are strictly followed, for example.
[0039] Figure 3 of the appended drawings illustrates a second
embodiment of the playing/trading card 32 similar to the card 24 of Figure 2.
The major difference between these cards relates to the coding thereon.
Indeed, instead of having a bar code 30 used to transfer data to the
controller,
the playing/trading card 32 is provided with a series of encoding color dots
34
used to encode data onto the card. Of course, an adequate card reader 14
must be used.
[0040] It is to be noted that even though the encoding color dots 34
are shown as having a color sharply contrasting the background color of the
card 32, these dots may advantageously be of about the same color as the
background so as to be essentially invisible. Then, an appropriate sensor is
used to detect a difference in wavelength between colors that look similar to
the
eye, for example between inks manufactured by Reiger inks Ltd. under the
codes O/S Special Black (Code #MSF468) and O/S PMS Black (Code
#31915). The use of such "invisible inks" yields cards that are virtually
indistinguishable from conventional playing cards.
[0041] Another way of achieving the encoding of the cards while
keeping an essentially unchanged card appearance makes use of two different
types of varnish having a different reflectivity. In this case, a sensor is
needed
to differentiate between the reflectivity of these two varnishes. For example,
varnishes manufactured by Reiger inks Ltd. under the codes WlB O/B Varnish
(Code #WC15408) and W!B O/P Varnish (Code #WC15407) can be used.
[0042] An advantage of the embodiments of playing/trading cards
illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is that these cards can be produced using
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conventional printing techniques, therefore causing no increase in the costs
of
manufacture of the cards.
[0043] A third embodiment of a playing/trading card 36 according to
another aspect of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4. Generally
stated, the card 36 is a so-called "smart card". It includes terminals 38 used
to
provide electrical connection between the microchip (not shown) of the card
and the card reader 14. Accordingly, information and power units can be
loaded or stored in the card 36, or deleted therefrom, from game to game. The
data is therefore "coded" in the microchip of the card.
[0044] More specifically, in this case, the card reader 14 also has
some card writing capabilities to thereby enable the controller 12 to modify
the
data contained in the card's microchip memory (not shown).
[0045] By using a card as illustrated in Figure 4, the introduction of a
significant concept, which is character development, is allowed. This would
change the game, which is usually "reset" each time it is played, into a game
that can span several gaming sessions.
[0046] With these "loading", "reading", "growing" and "deleting"
abilities, the "smart card" technology allows for card/character
customization.
The players using that interactive card option are able to develop their
collection of cards by trading information with friends, or via the Internet.
[0047] Even though playing cards such as the cards described
hereinabove are often traded, pure trading cards, such as for example sports
cards, may greatly benefit from the interactive features of the present
invention.
For example, when inserted in a card reader 14, a sports card picturing a
famous sports player and including encoded data thereon causes the output
device 18 to playback a physical description of the famous sports player
and/or
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relate to the highlights of his or her career. Furthermore, provided the card
reader assembly includes a link 21 to a computer network, recent highlights
can be downloaded and played back and/or recorded in the card, should "smart
card" technology be used.
(0048) Of course, even though three different technologies have
been presented hereinabove to transfer data from an encoded card to a
controller, many other techniques may be used. For example, non-contact
technologies, such as the transponder technology or various laser-reading
technologies, may be used.
(0049] It is to be noted that the specific technology used by the card
reader assembly 10 varies according to the type of encoding used, the type of
game played with the playing/trading cards, for example. Therefore, only the
general principles of the card reader assembly have been described herein, for
concision purposes. It is however believed to be within the reach of one
skilled
in the art to design an adequate card reader assembly according to game and
data encoding specifications.
(0050) Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified,
without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as
defined
in the appended claims.
