System for Performing Games

Abstract

A system for performing games based on a game participant's positioning of an optically imaging pen on a writing surface. The system comprises a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon. The position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with the game-related graphics. An optically imaging pen detects its position on a surface of the pre-printed gaming form by optically imaging the position-coding pattern on the writing surface as the game participant positions the pen on the surface.

1 . A system for performing games based on a game participant's positioning of an optically imaging pen on a writing surface, said system comprising:
 a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and a position-coding pattern printed thereon, wherein said position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with said game-related graphics; and   an optically imaging pen, said pen detecting its position on a surface of said pre-printed gaming form by optically imaging the position-coding pattern on said writing surface as said game participant positions said pen on said surface.   
   
   
       2 . The system for performing games as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a network connection device, said network connection device transmitting data in a communication network based on positioning information generated by said pen.   
   
   
       3 . The system for performing games as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a server, which processes positioning information generated by said pen to control the game.   
   
   
       4 . The system for performing games as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pre-printed gaming form and pen are used by a first game participant and said system comprises an additional pre-printed gaming form and pen for use by a second game participant, competing against said first game participant. 
   
   
       5 . The system for performing games as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said network connection device transmits said data to a server that controls said game and receives feedback information from said server. 
   
   
       6 . The system for performing games as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pen outputs a unique identifier which is utilized by a recipient to identify the participant and/or the pen. 
   
   
       7 . The system for performing games as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said data is transmitted in encrypted form. 
   
   
       8 . A method for performing games based on a game participant's positioning of an optically imaging pen on a surface, said method comprising:
 optically imaging a position-coding pattern on said surface as said game participant positions said pen on said surface, said surface being a pre-printed gaming form with game-related graphics and said position-coding pattern printed thereon, wherein said position-coding pattern codes coordinate information and is spatially interrelated with said game-related graphics;   detecting positioning of said pen on the surface;   converting information detected by the pen into transmittable data; and   transmitting the data via a communication system to a recipient.   
   
   
       9 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the pen detects its position on the surface and leaves written information, which is legible to a participant's eye, on the surface. 
   
   
       10 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein feedback on the transmitted data is received from the recipient via the communication system. 
   
   
       11 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the game is performed as a party game or amusement game against one or more opponents and/or software. 
   
   
       12 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the pen transmits the data continually to the communication system without intermediate storage. 
   
   
       13 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the pen transmits a unique identifier which is utilized by the recipient for identifying the participant and/or the pen. 
   
   
       14 . A method for performing games as claimed in  8 , wherein the data between the participant and the recipient is transmitted in encrypted form. 
   
   
       15 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the pen transmits the data to a local receiving unit. 
   
   
       16 . A method for performing games as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said recipient derives position-related data from the transmitted data, said position-related data being recorded in said reading of the position-coding pattern by the pen.