TITLE: EDUCATIONAL CARD SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of games and, more particularly, to educational games or games of skill used by one or more players for enjoyment and the development of mathematical skills. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various different games have been developed in the past for use in developing mathematical skills. These include United States patent numbers 3,661 ,392; 4,955,614; 5,033,754; 5,273,281 ; 6,109,924; 6,676,414; 6,716,033; and 6,811 ,402. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a card game which is fun and entertaining and, in addition, which can provide a competitive learning environment, such that one or more players may learn mathematical skills, and develop cognitive ability, in a comfortable learning environment. The invention provides a set of game cards that may be used by children and adults to learn mathematical and cognitive skills. It will be appreciated that the game cards may be physical cards or computer representations thereof (i.e. they may be displayed on a monitor).

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the instant invention there is provided an educational card system comprising:

(a) a set of game cards, each game card having: (i) a card number;

(ii) an associated mathematical operation that is to be conducted using the card number; and, (iii) at least one playing icon wherein the set of game cards has a plurality of playing icons, each of the plurality of playing icons having an associated playing number and being arranged on at least some of the game cards such that, for each

particular playing icon, the associated particular playing number is equal to a total derived by conducting the mathematical operation on the card number of the game cards on which the particular playing icon appears. [0005] In one embodiment, the educational card system further comprises at least one selection card, the at least one selection card displaying all of the playing icons and a playing number associated with each playing icon.

[0006] In another embodiment, the educational card system further comprises a plurality of selection cards, each selection card displaying one icon.

[0007] In another embodiment, a single selection card is provided, the selection card displaying each icon and a playing number associated with each icon. [0008] In another embodiment, a mathematical operation is displayed on each game card.

[0009] In another embodiment, a plurality of mathematical operations is used with a set of game cards and all but one of the mathematical operations is displayed on the set of game cards. Preferably, the mathematical operations comprise addition and subtraction and only subtraction is displayed on game cards in the set.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention there is provided an educational card system comprising:

(a) a set of game cards, each game card having: (i) a card number;

(ii) an associated mathematical operation that is to be conducted using the card number; and,

(iii) at least one playing number

wherein the set of game cards has a plurality of playing numbers, each of the plurality of playing numbers being arranged on at least some of the game cards such that, for each particular playing number, the particular playing number is equal to a total derived by conducting the mathematical operation on the card number of the game cards on which the particular playing number appears.

[0011] In one embodiment, the educational card system further comprises a plurality of selection cards, each selection card displaying a playing number. [0012] In another embodiment, the educational card system further comprises one selection card that displays each playing number. Preferably,

[0013] In another embodiment, a mathematical operation is displayed on each game card.

[0014] In another embodiment, a plurality of mathematical operations is used with a set of game cards and all but one of the mathematical operations is displayed on the set of game cards. Preferably, the mathematical operations comprise addition and subtraction and only subtraction is displayed on game cards in the set.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention there is provided a method of playing a mathematical game comprising: a) providing a set of game cards, each game card having: (i) a card number;

(ii) an associated mathematical operation that is to be conducted using the card number; and, (iii) at least one playing indicia, each playing indicia including a playing number wherein the set of game cards has a plurality of playing indicia, each of the plurality of playing indicia being arranged on at least some of the game cards such that, for each particular playing number, the particular

playing number is equal to a total derived by conducting the mathematical operation on the card number of the game cards on which the particular playing indicia appears; b) determining a selected playing indicia; c) reviewing each game card to determine if the selected playing indicia is on a game card and conducting the mathematical operation on the card number of the game cards on which the selected playing indicia is provided to obtain a total; and, d) using the total to determine the playing indicia. [0016] In one embodiment, the playing indicia consists of a playing number and the method further comprises providing a plurality of selection cards, each selection card displaying a playing number and using the selection cards to determine selected playing number.

[0017] In another embodiment, the playing indicia comprises a playing icon having an associated playing number and the method further comprises providing a plurality of selection cards, each selection card displaying a playing icon and using the selection cards to determine selected playing icon.

[0018] In another embodiment, the playing indicia consists of a playing number and the method further comprises providing one selection card that displays each playing number and using the selection card to determine the selected playing number.

[0019] In another embodiment, the playing indicia comprises a playing icon having an associated playing number and the method further comprises providing one selection card that displays each playing icon and the associated playing number and using the selection card to determine the selected playing icon.

[0020] In another embodiment, a plurality of mathematical operations are used with a set of game cards and all but one of the mathematical operations is displayed on the set of game cards and the method further

comprises determining the mathematical operation for a game card by reading the operation displayed thereon and, if no mathematical operation is displayed thereon, determining the mathematical operation for a game card by remembering the mathematical operation that is not displayed on the game cards in the set.

[0021] In another embodiment, the set of game cards is used to control the movement of game pieces around a board.

[0022] Accordingly, in accordance with the instant invention, a player preferably plays the game without using a calculator or pencil and paper. Therefore, as it is determined whether a particular playing number is on a particular card, the player must develop and solve a mathematical equation using, preferably, their mind. For example, if mathematical operations comprise addition and subtraction, then as it is revealed whether a selected playing number is on each game card, the player must add or subtract (as is indicated by the playing card) the card numbers so as to solve an equation and determine the selected player number. Accordingly, repetitive use of the game will enhance a player's familiarity with the mathematical operations that are used in the game and the results produced by using those mathematical operations on the card numbers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in accordance with the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

[0024] Figures 1 - 8 are schematic drawings of a set of eight game cards in accordance with an embodiment of the instant invention; and,

[0025] Figure 9 is a schematic drawing of a selection card that may optionally be used with game cards 1 - 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In accordance with the instant invention, an educational card system utilizes a set of game cards. Figures 1 - 8 exemplify eight game

cards, which define a set of game cards in accordance with the instant invention. In particular, game card number 1 is exemplified in Figure 1. Game card 2 is exemplified in Figure 2. Similarly, Figures 3 - 8 exemplify game cards 3 - 8 respectively. Each game card 10 is provided with a card number 12 an associated mathematical operation 14 and at least one playing number 16. For example, as shown in Figure 2, game card 10 is card number "2", that is provided in the lower right hand corner and is denoted by reference number 12. Further, the mathematical operation that is associated with the game card 10 is subtraction, as indicated by the subtraction sign designated by reference numeral 14. Further, the game card 10 is provided with thirteen playing numbers designated by reference numeral 16. In the case of game card 2, the playing numbers are "2", "3", "4", "6", "7", "8", "9", "12", "13", "14", "15", "16" and "19".

[0027] Referring to Figure 3, game card number 3 contains twelve playing numbers 16. Once again, the mathematical operation is subtraction (as indicated by reference numeral 14). In this case, some of the same playing numbers are used as on game card number 2. However, some different numbers are utilized, for example, playing number "10".

[0028] In one particularly preferred aspect of the invention, a game card 10 may not display a mathematical operation. Instead, the mathematical operation may be deduced from the lack of a mathematical operation being explicitly displayed upon the card. For example, in the set of game cards 1 - 8 set out in Figures 1 - 8, the mathematical operations that are utilized are addition and subtraction. In particular, the mathematical operation subtraction is displayed on the game cards that are numbered 2, 3 and 5. The remaining game cards, namely the game cards that are numbered 1 , 4 and 6 - 8 do not display mathematical operation. Accordingly, a player, who is advised in advance that the set of game cards 10 utilize the mathematical operations addition and subtraction will know that those cards which do not contain a mathematical operation printed thereon have the mathematical operation of addition associated therewith. This is an additional piece of information that a

player keeps in mind as they use the set of game cards. Accordingly, this adds a degree of complexity to the game. In order to create a game having a lower degree of complexity, it will be appreciated that a mathematical operation may be provided on each game card. [0029] It will also be appreciated that, in order to change the level of complexity, the mathematical operation may be other than addition and subtraction. For example, it could include one or more of multiplication, division, squares and the like.

[0030] Whereas each game card must contain at least one playing number 16, it is preferred that each playing card contains a plurality of playing numbers 16. Further, each playing number 16 is provided on at lease one game card 10 in a set of game cards. The playing number 16 are arranged on a set of game cards 10 such that, for each playing number 16, the particular playing number 16 is equal to the total derived by conducting the mathematical operation 14 on the card numbers 12 of the game cards 10 on which the particular plying number 16 appears. By way of example, the particular playing number that may be selected for a game may be "10". The number 10 appears on game cards 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Accordingly by applying the mathematical operation 14 associated with each of game cards 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 to the card number 12 of each of game card 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, the following equation is obtained.

The particular number = -3+4-5+6+8=10

Accordingly, by adding and subtracting the card numbers 12 of each of the game cards 10 on which the particular number 16 is displayed, a player is able to determine the number that has been selected.

[0031] It will be apparent that the number of, and the identity of, the playing numbers 16 that appear on a game card 10 will depend upon the mathematical operations that are used.

[0032] Accordingly, in one mode of operation, two people may play the game. The first player (player 1) selects a playing number from the set of

playing numbers. Accordingly, in the case of game cards 1 - 8 as represented by Figures 1 - 8, player 1 may select a number between 1 and 20. As player 1 views each of game cards 1 - 8, player 1 advises the second player (player 2) whether the particular number that player 1 has selected is on the game card. Accordingly, in this example, player 1 would advise player 2 that the selected number is not on game card 1 , 2 and 7 but that the particular number is on game cards 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Player 2 must be able to see that mathematical operation and the card number as Player 1 reviews the cards. Accordingly, players 1 and 2 may be seated side by side so that both players may view the front face of the game cards. Alternately, the mathematical operation and card number may be printed on the reverse face of the game card from the side that contains the playing numbers. Accordingly, in such a case, players 1 and 2 may be seated opposite to each other (e.g. across a table). As player 1 reviews the cards and advises whether the particular number is on the game card being viewed, player 2 adds or subtracts the card number to build and solve the equation set out previously and is thereby able to calculate the particular number that has been selected by player 1. Player 1 may review each game card 10 sequentially in card number or in any particular order, provided that all game cards are reviewed. [0033] It will be appreciated that more than two players could be used to play the game. In such a case, player 2 (i.e. the player who calculates the total) may vary from game to game. Alternately, or in addition, player 1 (who selects the particular number) may vary. It will be appreciated that the game may be computerized so that only a single player may play a game. Accordingly, the computer may include software that programs the computer to select a particular number in a set of game cards. A computer screen or the like may be used to sequentially display each game card and the computer may advise the person as each play card is displayed whether the particular number is present on the displayed game card. Accordingly, as used herein, a game card may be a physical card that may be held by a person or a display thereof on a screen.

[0034] In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention, the educational card system may include, in addition to a set of game cards 10, a plurality of selection cards. The selection cards may be, for example, a set of playing card sized cards, each of which has a playing number 16 thereon. Accordingly, instead of player 1 reviewing game cards 1 - 8 and determining a playing number after reviewing the game cards, player 1 may merely select one of the selection cards so as to determine the particular number.

[0035] In accordance with a further alternate embodiment, A single selection card 18 may be provided (see Figure 9). As shown in Figure 9, selection card 18 contains each playing number 16. Accordingly, in order to select a playing number, a person need only review selection card 18.

[0036] It will be appreciated that, in a further alternate embodiment, the selection cards, or the single selection card 18, may be provided with icons (flags, animals, plants or the like). Each icon may have a particular number associated with it. Accordingly, the selection cards may contain both the icon and the playing number associated therewith. In accordance with this embodiment, once a player selects an icon, the selection card may be utilized to determine the playing number associated with that particular icon. The game may then commence utilizing cards that display the playing numbers.

[0037] However, in a further alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that the game cards 10 need not have playing numbers displayed thereon. In particular, as the playing numbers themselves are not subjected to the mathematical operation, but the card number is, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that icons may be utilized on the game cards in place of playing numbers. Accordingly, if the icons which are selected for a particular game are flags, then each of game cards 1 - 8 may contain one or more icons wherein the icons are arranged on at least some of the game cards 10 such that, for a particular icon, a number may be determined by solving a mathematical equation consisting of conducting a mathematical operation on each card number 12 associated with a game card 10 on which the particular

icon appears. Once this total is obtained, a selection card 18, which contains the icons and an associated number therefor, may be utilized to convert the number that was obtained by solving the equation to the associated icon, thereby determining the icon that was selected by player 1. [0038] In a further alternate embodiment, the method and apparatus of this invention may be utilized to control the play on a game board. For example, a game board may have a track defined by a series of spaces along which a player moves. The number of spaces that a player moves along the track on each move may be controlled by any means known in the game art, such as by moving a playing piece a number of spaces equal to the sum of the role of one or more dice, or equal to the number on a card that is drawn from a deck of cards. In accordance with this embodiment, the player must first correctly determine the particular playing number. If the particular playing number is correctly determined, then the player may move, such as by rolling two dice. In a more preferred embodiment, a timer, such as an hourglass shaped three-minute egg timer, may be utilized. The timer provides a player a limited amount of time to correctly determine the particular number. Pursuant to this embodiment, the number of spaces that a piece moves may be based on the amount of time remaining after a player has correctly determined the particular number.

[0039] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various additions and modifications may be made to the educational card system set out herein and the method of using same, and each of those is encompassed by the following claims.