Physical activity-promoting game utilizing networked modules

Abstract

A system and method are provided for a physically active game whose underlying purpose is to increase the level of physical activity in adolescents, and to have the game and associated activity be enjoyable and engaging such that physical activity becomes engrained as a habit that counters obesity. The game system includes a set of networked game modules that players touch in a sequence as prescribed by a game logic The correct module to touch next in the sequence is indicated by a notifier, such as a light turning on or an audible signal emitting from the module. Sensors on the modules transmit a signal to a controller which activates transmission of the next module in the sequence to activate a notifier element. Game data may be used to compute a score and be applied to game statistics. Data from the game may be transmitted to a remote server for storage, transformation into comparative data, and displayed on a web page.

1 . A system for playing a physically-active game comprising:
 a set of networked game modules including a hub module and one or more client modules, the hub module and each client module in mutual communication, each module comprising one or more next-in-sequence notifiers and one or more touch sensors configured to emit a signal in response to a touch; and   a programmable controller configured to:   (a) control progression of the game through a sequential series of the networked game modules, from a preceding module to a next module according to a game logic,   (b) receive input from the one or more touch sensors, and   (c) activate the next-in-sequence notifier of the next module when touch sensor input from the preceding module is received, in accordance with the sequential series.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the networked game modules are networked wirelessly. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the next-in-sequence notifier comprises one or more lights. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the next-in-sequence notifier comprises one or sound emitters. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the next-in-sequence notifier comprises an image projector. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more touch sensors comprise any one or more of a capacitance touch switch, resistance touch switch, an infrared sensitive switch, a surface acoustic wave sensitive switch, or a piezo electric effect sensitive switch. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to feed touch sensor input back into the game. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an audio speaker on at least one of the game modules, the controller of the system being configured to control audio output from the speaker according to a game logic. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital music player configured to be controllable by the controller in a manner according to the game logic. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the digital music player and the speaker are included in the hub module. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an image projector on at least one of the game modules, the controller of the system being configured to control an image output from the projector in a manner according to the game logic. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the image projector is included in the hub module. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection to the internet. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the controller is configured to receive input through the internet connection that relates to executing the game logic. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the controller is configured to transmit data relating to the game from the system through the internet connection to a remote server. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sequence generator program operable by the controller, the sequence generator adapted to determine the sequence of modules to be activated in a game. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a timer adapted to record elapsed time between receipt of touch sensor input from sequential modules in the series. 
   
   
       18 . A method of playing a physically-active game with a game system, the method comprising:
 activating a notifier element disposed in a game module of a set of networked game modules, such activation providing notice that the module hosting the notifier element is a correct module to touch in a sequential series of game modules to be touched according to a game logic;   sensing a touch made on the module;   transmitting a signal in response to sensing the touch from the module to a controller; and   incorporating the signal as feedback into playing the game.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the sequential series of modules includes a module more than once. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein incorporating feedback comprises activating the notifier element of another game module that is next in the sequential series of game modules to touch. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein activating the notifier element comprises emitting a sound from an audio element. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  activating the notifier element comprises emitting light from a lighting element. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  activating the notifier element comprises projecting an image from an image projector. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein incorporating feedback comprises recording elapsed time between touch sensor signals transmitted by sequential modules within the series. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising identifying each module of the set of networked game modules to the controller such that a signal transmitted by a transmitting module is identifiable as having originated from the transmitting module. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the game is configured for single-player play. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 18  wherein is configured for multiple-player play. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising distributing the game modules to locations within a game play area that are spaced apart sufficiently that a player touching a module needs to physically move in order to touch a next module in the sequential series. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising varying the distance at which modules are spaced apart. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising calculating a score of the game. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein calculating a score of the game is based at least in part on the elapsed time that a player requires to complete a progression through the sequential series of game modules. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising varying a rate at which the controller drives the game. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein varying a rate at which the controller drives the game comprises limiting a duration of time allowed between touching a module and touching the next module in the sequence such that if the next module is not touched within such duration there is a consequence to a game score. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein varying a rate at which the controller drives the game is based on feedback from touch sensor to the controller during the game. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein varying a rate at which the controller drives the game is based on discretionary user input. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising playing music or tones according to the game logic. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein playing music or tones is coordinated with activating the notifier element. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein playing music or tones is coordinated with transmitting the signal in response to sensing the touch. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising transmitting data from the game to a remote server for recordation. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising transmitting data from the remote server by way of the internet such that it may be viewed as a web page in a browser, on a cell phone, or on a personal digital assistant. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising determining comparative data based at least in part on the transmitted data. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein transmitted data is compared to previous data from a player and/or to data from one or more other players. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising transmitting the comparative data from the remote server by way of the internet such that it may be viewed as a web page in a browser, on a cell phone, or on a personal digital assistant. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising registering a game player as an individual or as a member of a team such that game play data may be recorded as a record associated with the individual player or with the team. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein registering a game player comprises transmitting data to a remote server. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising storing any of individual player registration data, team data, or game play data in a memory of a local computer.