Omnidirectional word construction game connecting markings within a spatial array

Abstract

A method of playing a word construction game wherein one character, letter or stroke is added at a time to a defined space appearing on a paper surface, computer interface, mobile communication device screen, personal digital assistant or a non-paper erasable surface displaying discrete blank spaces. Each player aims to add at least one character, letter or stroke in turn anywhere within the array of previously played content and available blank spaces that continues the formation of a valid word without completing it. The completion of a valid word subjects the active player to challenge and a penalty in scoring. Absent losing a challenge, players receive points for each character, letter or stroke added without successful challenge during a round of play. Valid words must read without skipping any characters, letters or strokes or any blank spaces, be a predetermined minimum length, and meet other conditions as prescribed by preset rules. The game proceeds until after multiple rounds of play, a player has reached a target number of points or has amassed the highest point total.

1 . A method of playing a word forming game wherein the improvement comprises of taking turns to place a single character, letter or stroke spaced on top of, tangential to, near to or away from previously placed markings so that the resulting array continues but does not complete the construction of a valid word of a written language. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  whereby the taking of turns allows for a plurality of characters, letters and strokes to be played by a player during a single round. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  whereby the choice and supply of available characters, letters and strokes to be played during the game is limited by at least one predetermined parameter. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  whereby scoring is maintained for the game comprising the steps of
 a) awarding a predetermined number of points for each unchallenged character, letter or stroke added to the array of content and spaces,   b) awarding a predetermined number of points when successfully challenging the adding of a character, letter or stroke to the array that then either forms a valid word or fails to be imbedded within a valid word, and   c) denying a predetermined number of points when losing in a challenge of an added character, letter or stroke to the array.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 placing at least one initial character, letter, or stroke into a starting position on a visual playing space;   adding by an active player of at least one character, letter or stroke among the array that includes all previously placed characters, letters and strokes and all remaining blank spaces;   allowing a non-active player to singularly make a challenge that the previous character, letter or stroke added to an enhanced array containing only catenated characters, letters and strokes and no intervening blank spaces forms a valid word;   allowing a non-active player to singularly make a challenge that the array, taking into account therein all characters, letters and strokes as played and all blank spaces therein as wild card characters, letters or strokes, cannot constitute a single valid word;   ruling upon whether said challenge succeeds or fails; and   awarding or denying a predetermined number of points for characters, letters and strokes within the array, subject to the success or failure of challenges between two players that end a round of play.   
   
   
       6 . An apparatus to play a word forming game wherein the improvement comprises of taking turns to place a single character, letter or stroke spaced on top of, tangential to, near to or away from previously placed characters, letters and strokes so that the resulting array continues but does not complete the construction of a valid word of a written language, said apparatus comprising:
 a visual writable playing space of a plurality of surfaces including a paper sheet and a dry-erase board;   said surfaces are preprinted with playing grids of adjacent empty character spaces and with scoring grids;   a set of game instructions;   a plurality of writing instruments of multiple colors for adding letters onto said playing space by a plurality of players;   a plurality of cards together containing at least a full set of all characters, letters and strokes of a written language; and   a timing device to allot a predetermined amount of time for an active player to place a character, letter or stroke during a playing round and for a non-active player to lodge a challenge against the active player.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  which further comprises a database or dictionary of valid words within the language for resolving challenges. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising playing the game as an interactive home computer game. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising playing the game as an interactive on-line game via the Internet. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising playing the game over a wirelessly connected network of handheld communications devices. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of instructions in a computer program to execute the steps of:
 providing a visual electronic display of the array as formed and enhanced by a plurality of players;   providing an input means to add at least one character, letter or stroke to enhance said array;   displaying said array as newly enhanced on a visual display viewable or accessible by a plurality of players;   providing access to a database containing a dictionary of valid words of a written language that uses alphanumeric characters;   providing an input means for a non-active player to challenge the character placed by an active player by consulting said database to determine if the newly enhanced array forms a valid word or is subsumed within at least one valid word of a written language;   signaling on the visual display whether the newly enhanced array either matches a valid word within said database or fails to align in sequence within one valid word.   scoring for each round of play on a manual or automated basis using a predetermined point system according to characters successfully played without challenge, challenges sustained, and challenges lost by each player according to a predetermined set of rules; and   signaling on the visual display the points awarded to players for each round and the overall winner of the game after a predetermined number of rounds is completed or a predetermined point total is achieved by a single player or a team of players.   
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 10  comprising a plurality of instructions in a computer program to execute the steps of:
 monitoring the inputs by both provisionally and permanently awarding points during at least one round of play among players;   processing and officiating a challenge lodged against an active player against a database of valid words;   assigning points to players at the completion of each round;   monitoring point totals for each player during a game session until a winning player or a team of players achieves a predesignated or highest total after a plurality of rounds; and   maintaining standings, statistics, ratings, and point totals among individual players and teams of players over a multitude of game sessions.   
   
   
       13 . A system to allow a plurality of players consisting of humans and computers engaged in a game according to the method of  claim 1  to play together over a plurality of wirelessly and wire connected and networked devices, comprising:
 a plurality of said devices adapted to transmit newly played letters within said array among active and non-active players and to dynamically display the identical enhanced array among said devices;   a database of valid words with which to determine if an array forms a valid word or resides within at least one valid word of the language;   a memory operatively connected to or accessible by said devices;   a microprocessor operatively connected to said memory;   said microprocessor adapted for causing data stored in said memory or received by said devices to be transmitted by said device to a host computer or website and to other remotely located devices; and   a display panel operatively connected to said microprocessor, said display panel adapted for reproducing all arrays currently and previously formed by said players.   
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 12 , comprising the further step of providing an audio means for pronouncing aloud through voice automation a valid word formed by an array and a plurality of valid words that contain an array arising during a round of play. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 12 , comprising the further step of providing a visual means for displaying a valid word formed by an array and a plurality of valid words that contain an array arising during a round of play. 
   
   
       16 . The system according  claim 14 , comprising the further step of announcing aloud through voice automation the definitions of said plurality of valid words. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 15 , comprising the further step of displaying the definitions of said plurality of valid words.