A number of drinking game devices are widely known to those skilled in the art. For example, United States Patent No. 4, 239, 223 discloses a game comprising a drinking glass device for containing beverages as well as a means for entertaining, amusing and interesting the user. The glass itself has a transparent partition positioned upwardly from the bottom end of the glass to form a recess. Game means are placed into the recess so as to be visible to a user through the transparent partition. The game means are restrainably positioned by the recess closure which is sealed in such a way as to form a liquid-tight seal.

German Patent Application No. 19,847, 827 discloses a drinks-mat which has punched-out impressions from which playing pieces or ornaments can be pressed out or into which they can be re-inserted. The drinks mat may also

contain a game-board printed on to it to be used in conjunction with the playing pieces. The game area is situated in the middle of the mat and the playing pieces are situated around this area. However, it is noted that none of the described prior art devices teach of a timing element that is incorporated within the device.

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an electronic game device suitable for playing a drinking game that can measure the time taken to perform a task.

It is a further object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an electronic game device whereby a player can compete with another player on a time format.

It is yet a further object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an electronic game device suitable for playing a drinking game that informs a player when to commence the game.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic game device for allowing a player to compete on the basis of time taken for drinking a liquid filled in a vessel, comprising a main timer for measuring the time taken, and a display unit for displaying the time measured.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises activation means for starting the main timer.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a countdown timer for performing a countdown before the main timer starts.

Preferably the countdown timer runs for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively the countdown timer runs for a random period of time.

The main timer may start at the same time as a completion of the countdown.

The activation means may start the countdown timer.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a first light being turned on or off synchronously with the countdown.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises deactivation means for stopping the main timer.

Preferably the deactivation means is common with the activation means.

The activation means and/or the deactivation means may comprise a magnetic switch, in which a magnet for operating the magnetic switch is provided within the vessel.

The activation means and/or the deactivation means may comprise a magnetic switch, a contact or pressure switch, a shock switch or sensor, a gravity switch or sensor, or a combination of these.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a second light, which may be turned on or off at the same time as the main timer starting and/or stopping.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a false start detecting means which detects a false start when the activation means is operated before the countdown is completed.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a speaker sounding synchronously with the count down, start of the main timer, and/or stop of the main timer.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a memory for memorising one or more times measured by the main timer, and/or data to be entered.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises a mat on which the liquid containing vessel is located.

Preferably the mat contains the activation means and/or the deactivation means.

Preferably the activation means and the deactivation means are positioned at the centre of the mat so as to define a position for the liquid containing vessel to be located.

Alternatively the electronic game device comprises attachment means to be attached with a common vessel, the attachment means having a magnet at its bottom to operate the magnetic switch.

Alternatively the electronic game device comprises a second attachment means suitable for attaching the electronic game device to a common vessel.

The electronic game device may comprises a vessel having electronic components including at least the main timer and the display unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an operating method of an electronic game device for allowing a player to compete on the basis of time taken for drinking up a drink filled in a vessel, the electronic game device comprising a main timer for measuring the time taken, a display unit for displaying the time measured, activation means for starting the main timer, deactivation means for stopping the main timer, and a countdown timer, wherein the operating method comprising the steps of; starting the countdown timer for performing the countdown; starting the main timer at the same time with operation of the activation means; stopping the main timer at the same time with operation of the deactivation means; and displaying the time measured by the main timer on the display unit.

Preferably the electronic game device further comprises false start detecting means and a light and/or speaker, and the operating method further comprises the steps of ; detecting a false start by the false start detecting means when the activation means is operated before the completion of the countdown; interrupting the main timer starting; and turning on the light and/or speaker to show the false start being performed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic game device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a mat according to an embodiment of the present invention, the mat contains various electronic components; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through a drinking vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the drinking vessel of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of attachment means according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an electronic game device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Reference is initially made to Figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates an electronic game device suitable for playing a drinking game and particularly a novelty drinking game, generally indicated by reference number 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 generally comprises a

drinking vessel 20 suitable for being filled with a liquid, and a support for the drinking vessel such as a mat 40 on which the drinking vessel 20 is located.

In this embodiment the mat 40 is a flat rectangular shaped plastic housing which contains various electronic components described hereinafter and is transparent to show its inner construction. The mat 40 has a smoothly flat top surface on which the vessel 20 is located. In modification the support may be in the form of tray.

As shown in Figure 2, the mat 40 comprises a main switch 11, a central processing unit (CPU) 12, a magnetically activated switch 13, a first light source 14, a display unit 15, a second light source 16, a speaker 17 and a power source 18. All of these components are electronically connected to each other. The CPU 12 includes a first timer and a second timer (not shown).

The first timer is a main timer used for measuring the time taken for drinking the liquid contained in the vessel 20 during the game while the second timer is a countdown timer used for performing a countdown before the start of the game, as described hereinafter.

The main switch 11 consists of a push switch. The magnetically activated switch 13 commonly serves as an activation and deactivation means of the present invention. The switch 13 is positioned at a centre of, and underneath to an upper panel, of the mat 40 to define a first position 19 on which the vessel 20 should be placed. The first position 19 is both a starting position and a completion position of the game.

The first light source 14 consists of a series of five lights 14a-e that comprise light emitting diodes (LED's).

The display unit 15 may comprise either a light emitting display or a liquid crystal type display. The second light source 16 consists of a group of LED's 16a-h that are arranged in an annular configuration about the switch 13. In this embodiment the power source 18 consists of four batteries. Alternatively, the power source comprises a mains power supply (not shown).

As is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drinking vessel 20 incorporates an operating magnet 22 embedded into a base portion thereof. The magnet 22 consists of a permanent magnet, and is applied to activate (turn on) and deactivate (turn off) the magnetically activated switch 13 of the mat 40. The drinking vessel 20 may be a form of a spirit glass, pint glass, bottle, drinks can or other such similar drinking vessel. Additionally, the drinking vessel 20 may be comprised of glass or a plastic material.

In use, the drinking vessel is filled with a liquid such as an alcoholic beverage and placed on the first position 19 of the mat 40. The main switch 11 is then pressed by the player to turn on the device 10, thereby the countdown timer is started automatically and the magnetic switch 13 is turned on due to the presence of the magnetic 22 above the magnetic switch 13.

In the countdown procedure, initially all five LED's 14a- e are lit, and then the individual LED's 14a, 14b,... are extinguished at one second intervals. The second group of LED's 16a-h are synchronised to blink red at the same

time with the extinguishing of the countdown LED's 14a-e.

The speaker 17 emits a sound, such as a beep, at the time of LED's 14a-e lighting and extinguishing. The countdown timer lasts for a predetermined period of time e. g. 5 seconds.

The last LED 14e is extinguished at the time of the countdown timer stopping, this indicates to the player an end of the countdown. Thereafter, the drinking vessel 20 is permitted to be removed from the first position 19 by the player. This removal results in deactivation (turning off) of the magnetic switch 13 to start the main timer of the CPU 12 so that the main timer measures a time taken for drinking up the liquid filled in the vessel 20.

The second group of LED's 16a-h are continue to flash green until the next activation (turning on) of the switch 13.

Once the liquid contained in the vessel 20 has been drunk by the player, the vessel 20 is returned to the first position 19. The presence of the magnet 22 at the bottom of the vessel 20 results in activation (turning on) of the electronic magnetic switch 13 to stop the main timer of the CPU 12. The speaker 17 emits a beep at the same time with this stop. Thus, the time taken for drinking the liquid is measured by the main timer.

The elapsed time measured by the main timer is shown on the display unit 15. In the preferred embodiment the elapsed time is shown down to one hundredth of a second.

The first set of LED's 14a-e then flash a green colour to

show that the game has been completed in a correct manner.

In the above embodiment the countdown procedure is only for telling the player when to start drinking.

Alternatively, the countdown timer can be used as activation means, in which the main timer starts at the same time of completion of the countdown. Furthermore the countdown timer may be integral with the main timer.

In a further embodiment, the device may comprise a false start detecting means, which consist of a combination of the countdown timer, the switch 13 and the CPU 12. In this embodiment the CPU 12 is programmed so as to allow the player to remove the vessel 20 from the first position 19 to start drinking only on or after the end of countdown. That is, in the start of the game, deactivation (turning off) of the switch 13 is permitted only on or after the countdown timer has stopped.

If the switch 13 is deactivated before the countdown timer completes the countdown sequence then a false start is detected by the CPU 12. This is immediately followed by the prevention of the main timer starting, indicated by the first and second group of LED's 14a-e and 16a-h flashing a red colour and the display unit 15 showing no elapsed time. The speaker 17 may emits a sound such as a beep.

As a rule of the game, the player who fails to complete the game successfully may receive a penalty such as a forfeit e. g. a monetary forfeit or alternatively the necessity to repeat the game as previously described with

a fresh drink after drinking any liquid still contained in the drinking vessel 20.

Reference is now made to Figure 5 of the drawings that illustrates an attachment means, as generally indicated by reference numeral 30. The attachment means 30 has a magnet 32 employed as the activation and deactivation means, and is attached to a common type of drinking vessel 34 not having a magnet to allow the common vessel to be used in the device 10. The drinking vessel 34 comprises a spirit glass, a pint glass, a bottle, a drinks can or other such similar drinking vessel.

The attachment means 30 is comprised of a base 31 incorporating the magnet 32, and a number of arms 36, preferably three. The base 31 and the arms 36 are formed from a single piece construction and are made of a plastic material. The magnet may be interchangeably attached. The arms 36 are slightly movable by their own resilient deformation and are held in place against the drinking vessel by means of an adjustable strap 38. The adjustable strap 38 comprises a strip of cloth like material the ends of which are attached together by means of a Velcros strip. The drinking vessel 34 is inserted into the attachment means 30 so that the attachment means 30 securely holds a lower part of the vessel 34.

In use the vessel 34 is placed on into the base 31 and the arms 36 are then held tightly against the drinking vessel 34 by the adjustable strap encircling the arms 36 and drinking vessel 34.

In an alternative embodiment the adjustable strap 38 comprises an elasticated circular band or series of elasticated circular bands of different sizes suitable for different sizes of drinking vessels.

Alternatively, the arms 36 comprise a resiliently deformable material such as a plastic material or a rubber material, and the diameter between the arms 36 is such that drinking vessels 34 of a specific size fit between the arms 36 and are held in place by pressure exerted by the arms 36 towards the drinking vessel 34.

This would therefore make the use of the adjustable strap 38 unnecessary.

In a further alternative the attachment means comprises a cylindrical device which has a similar diameter to the drinking vessel 34 in use such that the device could be merely pushed onto the base of the drinking vessel 34.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment in which the drinking vessel 50 has all of the electronic components required located within a bottom part. The mat as described above is no longer required for this particular embodiment. The electronic components comprises the main switch 51, the CPU 52 including the main timer and the cowntdown timer, the first light source 54, the display unit 55, the second light source 56, the speaker 57 and the power source 58.

Activation means and deactivation means associated with the main timer is also included in the vessel 40. While these means may consist of a common magnetic switch as above-described, any other type of switch or sensor can

be employed such as a contact or pressure switch, a shock switch or sensor, a gravity switch or sensor, or a combination of these. In the case of the magnet switch, any existing objects made of magnetic material e. g. iron tables, handrails or even car bodies can be utilised for operation of the switch.

In the case of shock switch, shock or impact given to the vessel 40 causes operation of the switch to activate or deactivate the main timer. Accordingly, for example, the main timer starts when the player bangs the vessel 40 on the table, thereafter the main timer stops when the player again bangs the vessel 40 on the table or other objects.

In case of the gravity sensor, for example, the main timer stops when the player put the vessel 40 upside down on his head after finishing drinking, as is common in "boat race"drinking games.

Thus, this embodiment allows the player to define a variety of game rules, for further example, a start or removal position of the vessel may be different from a finish or replace position of the vessel. It is also appreciated that the game can be played even outside the pub, or in a place where no tables are provided.

In a further alternative (not shown) the electronic game device comprises a second attachment means fixed at one end to the mat, the opposite end being suitable for receiving a drinking vessel as described above. In this embodiment electronic drinking device forms a single piece, portable unit that can be attached to a variety of

vessels. The device then operates in a similar manner to the embodiment as presented in Figure 6 and described above.

Further alternatives or modifications of the present invention are described hereinafter. For example, the electrical components described above may be separated into two or more housings, one of which can be the mat or the drinking vessel as above-described.

With regard to the start of the countdown, the activation means and/or the deactivation means may be commonly used as the means for starting the countdown timer. For example, in the embodiment of Figures 1-4, the countdown timer starts when the magnetic switch 13 is turned on by the player putting the vessel 20 on the mat 40.

Alternatively, the countdown timer starts when the magnet switch 13 is turned off by the player removing the vessel 20 from the mat 40.

In the case that the activation means is a shock sensor, the countdown timer starts when the shock sensor detects a shock caused by the player placing the vessel on the mat or another surface, or banging the vessel on a surface.

The countdown timer may have a random function so as to stop randomly. That is, the countdown timer may run for a random period of time. A sequential countdown in a random period of time may be performed, with synchronous operation of the countdown lights and/or the speaker to let the player know when he should start drinking.

Alternatively, no sequential countdown in a random period

of time without any displaying or sounding may be performed, whereby the game may become more enjoyable because the player does not know when he should start drinking.

The countdown may not be performed. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the main timer is started at the same time when the main switch 11 is turned on. The player should start drinking immediately after pushing the main switch 11.

The device may be constructed such that the main timer stops when the drinking vessel is returned to another position than a position where the vessel is originally removed from. That is, the deactivation means may be positioned at another place than that of the activation means. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, further switches, employed as the deactivation means, may be disposed at a second position outside the mat 40. It would be appreciated that the embodiment shown in Figure 6 allows a remove and a return position for the vessel 40 to be changed.

Further modifications to the device could include the electronic game device further comprising a memory for memorising the time measured by the main timer, and/or data to be entered. The CPU 12 is programmable so that the names of individual players may be entered into the device and the name of the individual with a fastest time for completing the game is shown on the display unit together with their time. The electronic device may further retain the overall time and name of the player with the overall fastest time for playing the game, the

time being displayed as a comparative marker against an individual with a individual fastest time of a group of players playing the game.

The device may be attached to or incorporated into structures such as trays, tables or bars of the type typically used in drinking establishments.

Yet further modifications to the device may be made such that a number of separate electronic game devices are interconnected with each other and connected to a single CPU to be controlled centrally. This allows races to be held among a number of players each employing a separate electronic game device. In this case the CPU may record the identities of the players and subsequently record the individual times taken by the players to complete the game. The identity and time of the fastest user (s) are then displayed on the individual display unit or on a separate larger display unit. Preferably all the devices start their countdowns simultaneously.

The device may have means for determining tasks, forfeits or consequences resulting from a player's time, score, or failure to obtain a required time. Alternatively or additionally to the sound from the speaker, a small electric shock, a loud noise, an alarm or the like may be emitted from the device in the time with countdown, timer starting and/or timer stopping.

Additionally the device may be incorporated with any means for allowing to play a board game or other playing addition.

Thus, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides an electronic game device can measure the time taken to perform a task.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an electronic game device whereby a player can compete with another player on a time format.

A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an electronic game device that can tell the player when to commence the game.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope thereof.