Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the general field of so-called "board" games that can be played alone but preferably with several participants.

More particularly, it relates to a media file play game, the media files being of the audio and/or video type, based on the search for sound and/or visual recognition.

State of the art

Games exist that consist of playing a sound file (music or other), an image file or a video file, with the aim of trying to recognise a sound, a melody, a musical title, an object, a place, a character, the title of a film, etc.

However, current games are relatively basic in terms of elements to manipulate or to implement, which tends to limit their playfulness and appeal.

On the other hand, most known games involve one or more visual elements and/or give an advantage to "sighted" players.

It would therefore be interesting to be able to propose a recognition game that could be aimed at both visually impaired and non-visually impaired people, without conferring any advantage on either of them.

Disclosure of the invention

In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a media file play game (or game for playing media file), the media files being advantageously audio and/or video files, for one or more players, said game comprising:

- at least two game theme baseplates (or baseplates of game theme), each corresponding to one game theme among several game themes, said game theme baseplates each comprising a game theme baseplate radio-communicating chip (or radio-communicating chip of game theme baseplate) that contains data comprising a first identifier intended to correspond to at least one game media file, and

- a game base comprising:

(a) at least one chip reader associated with at least one reading surface, said at least one chip reader being adapted to perform a reading of the data contained in said radio-communicating chip fitted to the game theme baseplate supported on said reading surface,

(b) memory means in which are recorded game media files, said first identifiers each being associated with at least one game media file among said game media files,

(c) audio and/or video play means, for example of the loudspeaker and/or screen type, adapted to play game media files,

(d) a human/machine interface, for example of the push-button type, (e) control means designed to play at least one of said game media files, via said audio and/or video play means, which is associated with said first identifier collected by said at least one chip reader.

Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the media file play game according to the invention, taken individually or according to all the technically possible combinations, are the following:

- the game may comprise a multi-sided structure delimited by a plurality of sides, the external surfaces of which are identical to each other, said multi-sided structure including several second radio-communicating chips each fitted to one of said sides of said multi-sided structure, said second radio-communicating chips each containing data comprising a second identifier intended to correspond to one game theme, among said several game themes, at least two of said second radio-communicating chips having second identifiers that are different from each other, each corresponding to one game theme among said several game themes, said at least one chip reader being adapted to perform a reading of the data contained in said second radio-communicating chip fitted to the side of said multi-sided structure supported on said reading surface, theme media files being recorded in said memory means, said second identifiers each being associated with one theme media file among said theme media files, and said control means being designed to play said game media file, via said audio and/or video play means, which is associated with said second identifier collected by said at least one chip reader;

- the game theme baseplate radio-communicating chips, and possibly the second radiocommunicating chips fitted to the multi-sided structure, may be chosen among the radiocommunicating chips operating according to the "Near Field Communication" (NFC) wireless technology;

- the game media files may be grouped into at least two groups of game media files, said groups of game media files each being associated with a first identifier among said first identifiers, and said control means being designed, after selection of a group of game media files, to play successively each game media file of said selected group of game media files, after an interaction with the human/machine interface;

- the memory means may comprise groups of game media files each comprising a succession of a plurality of game media files that comprise: (a) a primary game media file, corresponding to a defined sound or to a defined video, and (b) at least one secondary game media file, corresponding to said defined sound or to said defined video, to which is applied a sound or visual disturbance and/or truncation, and the control means being designed to play said at least one secondary game media file then said primary game media file, after an interaction with the human/machine interface;

- the control means may be designed, for a same game theme, to play the game media files or the groups of game media files of the game theme in a defined order, and to change this order after all the game media files or all the groups of game media files of said game theme have been played;

- the control means may be designed to: (a) play a theme sound file, by said audio and/or video play means, as a function of data contained in the radio-communicating chip of the game theme baseplate supported on the reading surface, collected by said at least one chip reader, or, as the case may be, as a function of said second identifier collected by said at least one chip reader, then (b) select a plurality of game media files or a group of game media files to be played among said game media files or said groups of game media files that are associated with the first identifier contained in the game theme baseplate supported on the reading surface, then (c) play successively the game media files of said selected plurality of game media files or said selected group of game media files, after each interaction with the human/machine interface;

- the game may comprise score indicator means to view the score of the player(s), said score indicator means comprising a plurality of pieces provided with means for their mutual assembly and capable of forming together a predefined shape;

- the game theme baseplates may each comprise an external game theme identification mark;

- said external game theme identification mark, applied on the game theme baseplates, may comprise a Braille mark;

- the game theme baseplates may each comprise: (a) a lower dock containing the game theme baseplate radio-communicating chip, and (b) an upper display stand carrying the external game theme identification mark;

- the game base may comprise a case including a recess, the bottom of which forms the reading surface, the shape and size of said recess being suitable for receiving the game theme baseplates and, as the case may be, said multi-sided structure.

Of course, the different features, alternatives and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other according to various combinations, insofar as they are not mutually incompatible or exclusive.

Detailed description of the invention

Moreover, various other features of the invention emerge from the appended description made with reference to the drawings that illustrate non-limitative embodiments of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an overall view schematically illustrating the different components of a possible embodiment of a media file play game according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top view showing a possible embodiment of the score indicator means of a game according to the invention, here consisted of a central part associated with a plurality of score pieces and a plurality of tokens;

Figure 3 is an isolated view of the central part of the score indicator means illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an isolated view of one of the score pieces of the score indicator means illustrated in Figure 2.

The game according to the invention illustrated in Figure 1 , also called "media file play game 1" or “game for playing media file”, is based on the search for recognition of sounds classified by game themes.

For that purpose, the media file play game 1 comprises: - at least two game theme baseplates 2, 2' (or baseplates 2,2’ of game theme), each corresponding to one game theme among several game themes, and - a game base 3.

By "game theme", it is advantageously meant a combination of media files having a link between them, common characteristics or belonging to a same concept.

The game theme baseplates 2, 2’ are more than 2 in number (for example 3, 4, 5, or even more). They each comprise a game theme baseplate radio-communicating chip 21 (or radio communicating chip 21 of game theme baseplate) that contains data comprising a first identifier intended to correspond to at least one game media file, preferably to a group of game media files; in other words, the first identifiers are each associated with at least one game media file among said game media files. Preferably, the first identifiers of the game theme baseplates 2, 2' in presence are different from each other.

For its part, the game base 3 comprises:

- at least one chip reader 31 associated with at least one reading surface 32; the chip reader 31 being adapted to perform a reading of the data contained in the radio-communicating chip 21 fitted to each game theme baseplate 2, 2' supported on the reading surface 32,

- memory means 33 (in the form of a memory card) in which are recorded the game media files that contain the sounds to be played,

- loudspeaker means 34 adapted to play the game media files,

- a human/machine interface 35, herein in the form of a push-button, and

- control means 36 (in the form of a microprocessor) designed to manage the playing, via the loudspeaker means 34, of at least one of the game media files, which is associated with said first identifier collected by the chip reader 31.

In the memory means 33, the game media files may be grouped into at least two groups of game media files (and preferably in addition to two groups of game media files). Each group of game media files is advantageously associated with a game theme and with a first identifier among the different first identifiers mentioned hereinabove. Preferably, the number of groups of game media files corresponds to the number of game themes and to the number of baseplates 2, 2' available for the players.

And then, the control means 36 may be designed, after selection of a group of game media files, to play successively each game media file of said selected group of game media files, after an interaction with the human/machine interface 35.

In other hand, before the playing of the game media files, the control means 36 may be adapted to announce the game theme, via the loudspeaker means 34 (for example as a function of the data contained in the game theme baseplate radio-communicating chip 21 and collected by the chip reader 31).

Thus, generally, after having positioned a game theme baseplate 2, 2' on the reading surface 32 of the game base 3, the successive steps are implemented:

- the chip reader 31 can collect the data contained in the radio-communicating chip 21 fitted to said baseplate 2, 2' supported on the reading surface 32,

- the control means 36 can select, among the game media files recorded in the memory means 33, that or those corresponding to the game theme(s) which is(are) associated with the first identifier collected from the baseplate 2, 2' added,

- the control means 36 play at least one game media file belonging to the selected game theme, via the loudspeaker means 34.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the game theme baseplates 2, 2' each comprise an external mark 22 for identifying the game theme. This external mark 22 advantageously comprises a visual mark 221 identifiable by sighted people, and a Braille mark 222 identifiable by blind or visually impaired people.

For example, the game theme baseplates 2, 2' each comprise: - a lower dock 23, containing the game theme baseplate radio-communicating chip 21, and - an upper display stand 24, carrying the external game theme identification mark(s) 221, 222.

The radio-communicating chips 21 are positioned in the dock 23 of the game theme baseplates 2, 2', near a lower side of the latter, intended to be supported against the reading surface 32 of the game base 3.

The game theme can be chosen by a player, or by mutual agreement between players; it can also be chosen randomly.

Preferably, for this game theme choice, the game 1 comprises a multi-sided structure 4 that is delimited by a plurality of sides 41 , 42, 43, the external surfaces of which are identical to each other, and thus not differentiable, and each side of which is fitted with second radio communicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a.

The radio-communicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a are arranged within the multi-sided structure 4, not visible, each facing a side 41 , 42, 43 of the multi-sided structure 4. Each of the sides 41 , 42, 43 of the multi-sided structure 4 is adapted to be supported against the reading surface 32 of the game base 3.

The second radio-communicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a each contain data comprising a second identifier intended to correspond to one game theme, among several game themes, and at least two of these second radio-communicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a include second identifiers that are different from each other, each corresponding to one game theme.

As mentioned hereinabove, the external surfaces of the multi-sided structure 4 are identical to each other. That way, the players do not know the game theme associated with each side of the multi-sided structure 4; and in case of putting the multi-sided structure 4 on the reading surface 32, advantageously randomly, the game theme corresponding to the side 41 , 42, 43 of this multi sided structure 4 supported on said reading surface 32 is hence randomly determined.

The chip reader 31 of the game base 3 is adapted to perform a reading of the data contained in the second radio-communicating chip 41a, 42a, 43a fitted to the side 41, 42, 43 of the multisided structure 4 supported on the reading surface 32.

Theme media files are recorded in the memory means 33; the second identifiers are each associated with one theme media file among the plurality of theme media files provided; and the control means 36 are designed to play, via the loudspeaker means 34, the theme media file that is associated with said second identifier collected by the chip reader 31 (the loudspeaker means 34 thus announce the game theme).

For example, the multi-sided structure 4 consists of a six-sided dice and the game themes are three in number, the three associated second identifiers being each found twice on the sides 41 , 42, 43 of the dice 4.

As an alternative, the multi-sided structure 4 may have a number of sides other than 6. It may for example be in the form of a four-sided pyramid, wherein each of the sides can correspond to a different game theme.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the game base 3 may comprise a case 3a including a recess 37, the bottom wall of which forms the reading surface 32 associated with the chip reader 31. The shape and size of this recess 37 are suitable for receiving the game theme baseplates 2, 2' and, as the case may be, the multi-sided structure 4. For example, the shape and size of the recess 37 corresponds to the shape and size of the dock 23 of the game theme baseplates 2, 2'. The chip reader 31 may be positioned just under the reading surface 32, centred in the latter.

The game 1 is structured in such a way that the chip reader 31 can communicate with the game theme baseplate radio-communicating chips 21 , and possibly the second radiocommunicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a fitted to the multi-sided structure 4, only when the baseplate 2, 2’ or the multi-sided structure 4 is put on the reading surface 32 of the game base 3.

For that purpose, the game theme baseplate radio-communicating chips 21, and possibly the second radio-communicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a fitted to the multi-sided structure 4, communicate with the chip reader 31 according to a technology of the "RFID" type, and more particularly according to the "Near Field Communication" (NFC) wireless technology.

The game theme baseplate radio-communicating chips 21, and possibly the second radio communicating chips 41a, 42a, 43a fitted to the multi-sided structure 4, are themselves known and consist of components of the electronic chip (or integrated circuit) type associated with an antenna.

Such radio-communicating chips are also known as "tags", or "labels" or also "transponders", and consist of radio-identification means that integrate a radio-identification function.

By "radio-identification", it is meant in particular a technique that makes it possible to identify objects by means of a radio-identifier. It is also meant a technique that makes it possible to identify objects using a memory chip or an electronic device capable of recording information and, by means of a radio antenna, transmitting this information to a specialized reader, here the chip reader 31.

The radio-communicating chips 21; 41a, 42a, 43a, are advantageously chosen among the electronic chips of the HF (High Frequency) type, operating at a frequency of the order of 10 to 20 MHz, preferably at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Such HF chips have in particular for interest to be detectable at a limited distance, generally of the order of a few centimetres, which makes it possible to identify them individually.

The radio-communicating chip, conventional per se, is preferably enclosed in a support to ensure its protection against in particular mechanical shocks and fluids.

The radio-communicating chip is for example of the passive type, that is to say it back- modulates the wave from the chip reader to transmit information. The passive chip generally uses the wave (magnetic or electromagnetic) from the reader to power the embedded electronic circuit.

This radio-communicating chip advantageously contains a single identifier, chosen for example among "Ull" for "Unique Item Identifier" or "EPC" for "Electronic Product Code", which is sent back in response to a radio request emitted from a chip reader.

This single identifier is advantageously not modifiable, and typically consists of a numeric or alphanumeric code. The radio-communicating chip can thus be of the type: "WORM", for "Write Once, Read Multiple".

For its part, the chip reader 31 comprises, in manner conventional per se, a transceiver system associated with an antenna.

This chip reader 31 advantageously operates as follows:

- it transmits, via radio waves, the energy to the radio-communicating chip 21, 41a, 42a, 43a located opposite and in its magnetic field,

- it then transmits an information request to the radio-communicating chip,

- it receives the answers and transmits them to the control means 36. The communication between the RFID reader and the radio-communicating chip is possible thanks to each RFID antenna integrated in each of these two complementary components.

The control means 36 generate the playing of game media files by the loudspeaker means 34 as a function of the information received from the chip reader 31 corresponding to the game theme defined by the game theme baseplate 2, 2' in position on the reading surface 32, and also as a function of the interactions of the players with the human/machine interface 35.

In the memory means 33, the game media files are grouped into at least two groups of game media files, each corresponding to a different game theme; and the control means 36 are designed, after selection of a group of game media files, to play successively each game media file of the selected group of game media files, after an interaction with the human/machine interface 35.

On the other hand, to improve the game playfulness, certain at least of the groups of game media files may comprise a succession of a plurality of game media files in which are found:

- a primary game media file, corresponding to a defined sound or to a defined video, and

- at least one secondary game media file, corresponding to said defined sound or to said defined video, to which is applied a sound or visual disturbance and/or truncation.

And the control means 36 are designed to play the secondary game media file then the primary game media file, after an interaction with the human/machine 35.

That way, it may be considered to play a "masked" or "disturbed" sound to make the recognition thereof relatively difficult, and then to play the same sound but less "masked" or "disturbed" with a view to facilitating the recognition thereof.

The corresponding "masking" or "disturbance" may consist of a distortion of the sound or the image. For a sound, it may also be considered to overlay another sound, for example music, thereon.

According to another feature, the control means 36 may be designed to play, in a same game theme, the game media files or the groups of game media files of said game theme in a defined order, and to change this order after all the game media files or all the groups of game media files of said game theme have been played.

This makes it possible to prevent the game media file sequences from been learned and the game media files to come from being known, by simple memorizing.

In an alternative embodiment, the sounds may be played, within the defined game theme, in a fully random manner.

According to still another feature, in case of emission of a message in one language, it may be provided or proposed to emit the same message in another language, after an interaction with the human/machine interface 35, or by activating a dedicated push-button.

Preferably, the game 1 also comprises score indicator means 5 that allow counting the score of the different games as the game progresses. For example, the score indicator means 5 may consist of simple tokens allocated to the players depending on the correct answers announced.

Preferably, the score indicator means are chosen in such a way that the counting of points can be followed by both the sighted people and the blind or visually impaired people.

As illustrated in Figure 2, a point counting system 5 may be provided, comprising - a central part 51, - a plurality of pieces 52 provided with means for their mutual assembly (for example of the tenon/mortise type) and capable of forming together a predefined shape; and - a plurality of tokens 53 each of simple disk shape.

These different elements or parts 51 , 52 and 53 may be made of plastic material; preferably, they are made of wood or cardboard.

The tokens 53 are optional.

The central part 51 is illustrated in isolation in Figure 3. It is generally X-shaped with ends provided with male 511 and female 512 assembly means adapted to cooperate with complementary assembly means of the pieces 52. The central part 51 may also include a notch 513 intended for receiving a plurality of juxtaposed tokens 53 (this notch 513 is optional).

One of the pieces 52 has been shown in isolation in Figure 4. This piece 52 includes a male tenon 521 and a female notch or mortise 522, complementary in shape.

It is understood that the pieces 52 can be assembled to each other and with the central part 51 to allow the formation of a double-ring shape, herein called "score puzzle", as illustrated in Figure 2. The evolution of this double-ring shape can be followed manually by the visually- impaired people, to follow the evolution of the score of the different players.

For example, at the beginning of a game, each player receives a central part 51. The players can be allocated with one or several tokens 53 at each correct answer; and they replace a certain number of tokens by a piece 52 that they can use to complete their "score puzzle" (from the central part 51).

And the player who first finishes his/her "score puzzle" wins the game.

Example

The game can be designed to be used by blind, visually-impaired and sighted players, together or separately, for example aged 7 or more.

The principle is that players must recognize and identify sounds played by the game base 3, and the player who first identifies a certain number of sounds wins the game.

Description of the components:

Four game theme baseplates 2, 2' are used, each representing a sound game theme, for example: animals - nature - machines - human.

The game theme baseplates 2, 2' are identical in colour and shape, identifiable by a Braille mark, on the one hand, and a single-colour printing, on the other hand. The multi-sided structure 4 consists of a dice, each side of which includes a tag identifying a sound game theme; for example, two sides of the dice carry an "animal" tag, two sides of the dice carry a "machine" tag, one face of the dice carries a "nature" tag and one face of the dice carries a "human" tag.

The sides of the dice are impossible to identify visually or tactilely.

The game base 3 comprises a case 3a containing the electric/electronic part, i.e.:

- the printed circuit with the decoding program,

- the chip reader 31 ,

- the memory means 33,

- the control means 36 (in the form of a microprocessor),

- the loudspeaker 34,

- a power supply unit.

The case 3a of the game base 3 is made of plastic material and comprises the recess 37 whose bottom forms the reading surface 32 fitted with the chip reader 31.

This case 3a also comprises the human/machine interface 35 in the form of a control button. The score counting system corresponds to that described hereinabove in relation with Figures 2 to 4.

At each correct answer, the player receives from 1 to 3 tokens, depending on the result. The player can exchange three tokens against one piece 52.

The player who first collects a certain number of pieces (for example, 24 pieces) and finishes his double-ring shape wins the game.

Example of a game:

At the beginning of the game, each player receives a central part 51.

The first player places or throws the dice 4 on the reading surface 32 of the game base 3, in order to determine the game theme (here, animals, machine, nature, human). The selected game theme is played/announced via the loudspeaker 34.

Once the game theme determined, the player removes the dice 4 then puts on the reading surface 32 the game theme baseplate 2, 2' that corresponds to the game theme determined. Once ready, the player presses once the control button 35 of the game base 3.

A series of sounds is selected, and a first sound message is played by the loudspeaker 34 (only once). This first message is a sound that is deformed and masked for example by a background melody.

The player tries to identify the sound and submits an answer (if he/she can).

Then, the player presses the control button 35 a second time, and the second sound message is played (only once). This second message comprises the same sound as the first one, but less deformed. The background melody is identical. This second message is easier to guess. The player confirms his/her first proposition or makes a new proposition. The second answer cancels the first one if it is different.

Then, the player presses the control button 35 a third time, and the third sound is played (only once). This third message comprises the same sound as the first and second ones, but without deformation. The background melody is identical. This third message is even easier to guess.

The player confirms his/her proposition or makes a new proposition: this new proposition is his/her final answer.

Finally, the player presses the control button 35 a fourth time, and the fourth sound is played. This time it is the solution (sound without background melody).

A number is also played, in case the answer would not unclear. This number is a kind of security and refers to a printed list (in classical letters and Braille) mentioning the correct answer. The printed answer could be more complete and possibly mention additional information.

If the player presses the control button 35 once again, the same message is heard (answer triggering is possible only twice).

If the player has made the right choice after the first sound, and has then confirmed this choice: he/she receives three tokens 53.

If the player has made the right choice after the second sound, and has then confirmed this choice: he/she receives three tokens 53.

If the player has made the right choice after the third sound and has then confirmed this choice: he/she receives one token 53.

The player can exchange three tokens against one piece 52 that he/she can position in such a way as to complete his/her "score puzzle".

Once the turn finished, the player removes the game theme baseplate 2, 2', and a new turn begins with the next player putting the dice 4 on the reading surface 32.

The player that first finishes his/her "score puzzle" (for example by means of pieces 24) wins the game.

Alternative embodiments

According to an alternative embodiment, the game media files may consist of music files, the objective being to find the title of a song by listening a few seconds of a melody.

In this case, the game themes may correspond to names of artists.

Then, a group of music files associated with each artist may comprise: - a first audio message lasting a certain time laps, for example 3 seconds, - a second audio message corresponding to the first one with a few more seconds, and - a third audio message corresponding to the second one with still a few more seconds.

The principle of such a game, similar to the above description, may be the following:

1. Choosing an artist: randomly "throwing" the dice, 2. Putting on the reading surface a game theme baseplate representing the selected/chosen artist,

3. Triggering a first audio message (for 3 seconds): proposing an answer,

4. Triggering a second audio message (identical to the first one + 2 seconds for example): proposing an answer,

5. Triggering a third audio message (identical to the second one + 3 seconds for example): proposing an answer,

6. Triggering the answer,

7. Score. In still another alternative embodiment, the game media files may consist of audio and/or video files, the objective being to find the title of a film by viewing some video passages of this film, or by listening to some sentences/dialogues from the film, or also by viewing some photographs from the film.

Many other alternatives may be considered according to the same principle. As the case may be, the game base 3 will be equipped with one or more screens to play image files and/or video files.

As an alternative, the game base 3 may be equipped with means for connection to an external device, such as a screen for playing the sound and/or visual media file (image or video).

It may be possible to choose the language of the game (e.g. by means of one or more selection buttons on the game base).

It may also be possible to choose the difficulty level of the game, among several difficulty levels, for example by means of one or more selection buttons on the game base.

In still another alternative embodiment, the plurality of game theme baseplates may be in the form of a multi-sided structure, at least certain sides of which are fitted with a radio- communicating chip that contains data comprising - a game theme, and - a first identifier intended to correspond to at least one game media file.