Number games and word games

Abstract

A number game in which the object is to match a player's score to a target number, including a playing surface with a plurality of numbers therein and operators on the outside of the playing surface which includes at least one moveable playing piece. Whenever a playing piece is moved to one of the numbers on the playing surface, the player's score is changed based on that number and according to the mathematical function of the operator towards which the playing piece was moved. One embodiment of the invention is a word game in which each of the numbers on the playing surface has an associated letter. Movement of the playing piece from number to number in this version of the game necessarily also means movement of the playing piece to the number's associated letter. Each single play consists of a single continuous movement of the playing piece from letter to letter in an attempt to form a word. A temporary score is tabulated for each single play. When the single play results in a valid word being formed, the temporary score is added to the player's score.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A game, the object of which is to match a player's score to a target number, comprising:
 a target displaying a target number,   scoring means for displaying at least one player's score,   a playing surface consisting of a plurality of numbers,   a first operator displayed to the right of said playing surface,   a second operator displayed to the left of said playing surface,   a third operator displayed at the top of said playing surface,   a fourth operator displayed at the bottom of said playing surface,   at least one moveable playing piece, and   scoring means for changing said player's score as said playing piece is moved dependent on the number to which it is moved and the mathematical function of the operator towards which it is moved.   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said plurality of numbers being arranged in columns and rows 
 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said playing surface having at least one instruction square onto which said playing piece may be moved. 
 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said instruction square having an instruction that one of said playing pieces be moved to another location on said playing surface, 
 means for moving one of said playing pieces according to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied. 
 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said instruction square having an instruction that one or more of said operators be changed, means for changing one or more of said operators according to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied. 
 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said instruction square having an instruction that one or more of said scores be changed, means for changing one or more of said scores according to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied. 
 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said instruction square having an instruction that said target number be changed, means for changing said target number according to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied. 
 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said instruction square having an instruction that said numbers on said playing surface be changed, means for changing said numbers according to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied. 
 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said instruction square having an instruction that all instruction squares on said playing surface be changed, 
 means for changing said instruction squares according to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied. 
 
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said playing surface having at least one prize square onto which said playing piece may be moved, 
 said prize square identifying a prize, 
 wherein a player is allocated said prize when his playing piece occupies said prize square. 
 
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said playing surface having advertising squares onto which said playing piece may be moved, 
 said advertising squares displaying an advertisement for a product or service. 
 
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 11  further comprising:
 said advertising square also containing an instruction. 
 
     
     
         13 . The game of  claim 11  further comprising:
 said advertising square also containing a prize. 
 
     
     
         14 . the game of  claim 11  further comprising:
 said advertising square also displaying a number. 
 
     
     
         15 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said playing surface having roadblocks onto which said playing piece may not be moved, wherein a player is required to make additional moves to go around said roadblock to reach a desired spot on said playing surface. 
 
     
     
         16 . The game of  claim 15  further comprising said roadblock displaying an advertisement for a product or service. 
     
     
         17 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a timer to time the amount of time it takes for a player's score to match the target number. 
 
     
     
         18 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a move counter to count the number of moves it takes for a player's score to match the target number. 
 
     
     
         19 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a fifth operator displayed near the top right corner of said playing surface; 
 a sixth operator displayed near the bottom right corner of said playing surface; 
 a seventh operator displayed near the top left corner of said playing surface; 
 an eighth operator displayed near the bottom left corner of said playing surface; 
 
     
     
         20 . game, the object of which is to match a player's score to a target number, comprising:
 a target displaying a target number,   scoring means for displaying at least one player's score,   a playing surface consisting of a plurality of letters,   each of said letters having an associated number in very close visual proximity thereto,   a first operator displayed to the right of said playing surface,   a second operator displayed to the left of said playing surface,   a third operator displayed at the top of said playing surface,   a fourth operator displayed at the bottom of said playing surface,   at least one moveable playing piece,   word tracking means for keeping track of the letters to which said playing piece is moved and the order in which said associated letters arc accumulated during a single play,   word totaling means for changing said player's temporary score during a single play as said playing piece is moved dependent on the number to which it is moved and the mathematical function of the operator towards which it is moved,   word detection means for determining whether the accumulated letters during said single play represent a valid word,   scoring means for changing said player's score by the amount of said temporary score whenever said single play is completed and a valid word is detected by said word detection means.