`US 20090051114Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Robbers et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0051114 Al
`Feb. 26, 2009
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
`MULTI-PLATFORM TRADING CARD GAME
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug.27,2008
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Rob Robbers, Solana Beach, CA
`(US); Bryan Gannon, San Diego,
`CA (US); John T. Milito, Rancho
`Santa Fe, CA (US); J. Jeffrey
`Filzenger, San Diego, CA (US); J.
`Player Harrill, Solana Beach, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`PAUL, HASTINGS, JANOFSKY & WALKER
`LLP
`875 15th Street, NW
`Washington, DC 20005 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`TC Digital Games, LLC, San
`Diego, CA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/199,703
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 11/844,884, filed on
`Aug. 24, 2007.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 1100
`(2006.01)
`A63F 9124
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 273/293; 273/292; 463/11
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A series of trading cards for playing a game comprising a first
`trading card for a first character comprising a first unique
`identifier and a first variable rule of play. The series of trading
`cards also comprises a second trading card for a second char(cid:173)
`acter comprising a second unique identifier and a second
`variable rule of play, wherein the first character is the same as
`the second character and wherein the second variable rule of
`play is different than the first variable rule of play.
`
`1204
`
`,-1200
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 1
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`100
`
`f
`
`102
`
`Central
`Database
`Manager
`
`116
`
`118
`
`104
`
`112
`
`Trading Card· 114
`108
`
`Us$r
`Interface .
`
`110
`
`Electronic
`Platform
`
`Electronic
`Platform
`
`Fig. 1
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 2
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 2 of 16
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`US 2009/0051114 Al
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`104
`
`202
`
`Fig. 2
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 3
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 3 of 16
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`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`310
`
`Component
`Mapping
`Application
`
`102
`
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`Database
`Manager
`
`300
`
`f
`
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`
`. Graphic
`Database for
`Electronic
`Version
`
`302
`
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`Database for
`
`Game
`Component
`Production
`
`304
`
`308
`
`Electronic
`Display
`Device
`
`Fig. 3A
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 4
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`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 4 of 16
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`US 2009/0051114 Al
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`300
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`Manager
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`Electronic
`Version
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`Game
`Component
`
`312
`
`108
`
`Electronic
`Platform
`
`User
`Interface
`
`Card Owner
`
`106
`
`Fig. 3B
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 5
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`400
`
`f
`
`402~
`
`generating trading cards
`available for playing a trading
`card game on a physical play
`platform
`
`404 ~ , - - -= - - - - - ' -1 - - - - - - ,
`generating an electronic version
`· of the trading cards available for
`playing the trading card game on
`multiple electronic platforms
`
`406
`
`.
`implementing a rule of play for
`trading cards equivalently on the
`physical play platform and the
`multiple electronic platforms
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 6
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`500
`
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`~
`
`Attack
`Cards
`
`520
`
`Discarded
`Attack
`Cards
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`
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`and
`Discipline
`Tracking
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`
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`Card
`
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`Cards
`
`Fig. 5
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 7
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 8
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 8 of 16
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`Exhibit 1023
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 9 of 16
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`Exhibit 1023
`Page 10
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 10 of 16
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`Exhibit 1023
`Page 11
`
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`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
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`Exhibit 1023
`Page 12
`
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`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 13
`
`
`
`1204
`
`1206
`
`ATTACAT
`~50
`
`,-1200
`
`TAKINOM
`
`[MasterGame RZ] Yo Dude you are so unlucky
`CHALLENGE! MagicDude23 has challenged you to a league game
`[Sam22] Hey man what happened? Bad Magic, haha
`[Trade League 6 - Maximillian] wtt Ghaor Card with awesome stats
`[General - DoozerSal] Yeah, I know ... now what?
`[SpaceRider] I don! know what happened, can somebody help me?
`[Sam22] Ok, I can't wait to battle you MagicDude23
`MagicDude23 left this room
`[General - DoozerSal] Sam, let me know when you play MD23 ...
`[SpaceRider] IWhy is Attacat at 40?
`
`[Trade League 6 - Maximillian] How many LP on Choar, Masimilian?
`
`FIG. 12
`
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`Exhibit 1023
`Page 14
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
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`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 15
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`1402
`
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`fr
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`Storing, on a code database manager, a: first unique
`identifier, a first graphic for a first trading card, an electronic
`version .of the first trading card, and a first rule of play
`
`1404~
`
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`Managing, at the code database manager, the production of
`the first trading card comprising assigning the first unique
`identifier and. the first rule of play to the first trading card
`
`1406~
`
`,,
`Causing the first trading card to be printed with the first graphic
`and the first unique number, wherein the firs,t trading card is
`configured for use by an owner for playing the trading card
`game in a physical play format
`
`1408~
`
`,~
`Receiving the first unique identifier, from the owner, submitted
`through a user interface, wherein the user intetface is in
`communication with the code database manager and is
`configured to be accessed by the owner through multiple
`electronic platfor~s
`
`1410~
`
`,.
`
`Activating, after receiving the first unique identifier, the electronic
`version of the first trading card for use by the owner for playing
`the trading card game on the multiple electronic platforms,
`wherein the first rule of play is equivalently implemented in the
`physical play format and the multiple electronic platforms for
`playing the game
`
`Fig. 14
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 16
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`1500
`
`f
`
`1506
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`Screen
`Handhelds
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`1516
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`1514
`
`1512
`
`1520
`
`Fig. 15
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 17
`
`
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`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`Feb.26,2009
`
`1
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
`MULTI-PLATFORM TRADING CARD GAME
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is a continuation application of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/844,884, entitled SYS(cid:173)
`TEMSAND METHODS FOR MULTI-PLATFORMTRAD(cid:173)
`ING CARD GAME, filed Aug. 24, 2007, which is incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein by reference in its entirety.
`[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 12/037,062, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FORA GAMING PLATFORM, filed Feb. 25, 2008.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003]
`1. Field of the Invention
`[0004] The present invention relates to a trading card game.
`More specifically, the present invention relates to multi-plat(cid:173)
`form trading card game.
`[0005] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
`[0006] Trading cards, traditionally cardboard or plastic
`cards depicting graphics, have been developed in many areas
`throughout multiple industries, such as professional sports
`and the entertainment industry. Trading cards are, for
`example, photographic depictions of an athlete with informa(cid:173)
`tion about the sports figure, and/or a trading card may depict
`music performers, animated and/or movie characters. Tradi(cid:173)
`tionally, trading cards are collected as a hobby, for example,
`for economic and historic value.
`[0007] Some of the trading cards available may be used in
`trading card games where a player, having collected a deck of
`trading cards, plays against an opponent that has also col(cid:173)
`lected some trading cards. Different strategies are involved in
`playing such games, which can include, for example, means
`for eliminating opponents or advancing in a game. Many of
`the trading card games include a deck of trading cards as the
`primary medium for playing out the game, and in some trad(cid:173)
`ing card games, the ultimate strategy is to trade or collect the
`trading card.
`[0008] Trading card games, for example, can depict various
`creatures or military items, each of which has a predeter(cid:173)
`mined value in a trading card game. Trading card games may
`involve a hierarchal ranking of members of a typical society,
`wherein the member is depicted on the trading card and each
`trading card has a predetermined value in the trading card
`game. Still other trading card games include playing a "base(cid:173)
`ball game," which is played with baseball type player trading
`cards, a die and a deck of standard playing cards. This game
`can also include a board game for simulating the game of
`baseball, wherein baseball trading cards are used for playing
`pieces.
`[0009] Some systems disclose electronic trading cards
`(ETC), or a trading card metaphor, for collecting trading,
`game playing and creating of digital electronic trading cards
`for application in consumer digital media. These systems use
`components designed to generate and accept a shared propri(cid:173)
`etary electronic trading card format, so that, for example, a
`card created by a user with a card-making application can be
`recognized by an electronic trading card album. The ETC
`format also supports the concepts of scarcity and authenticity
`within a disassociated computer code segment.
`[0010] Some trading card game systems use closed-system
`video games coupled with a card reader that is used for
`
`transferring information stored on the card to the video game
`system's computer. For example, in some systems, trading
`cards, configured as video sports cards, contain a computer
`readable memory chip, including read-only memory (ROM),
`for storing a video of highlight sequences to be played on a
`display screen. Some trading cards may contain an updatable
`electronic storage medium that is attached to the trading card
`and used for storing a unique password. Other trading cards
`include computer chip elements containing audio data played
`in response to a user action stimulus, such as squeezing or
`touching a portion of the trading card.
`[0011] Some trading card systems provide for trading cards
`over an electronic network such as the Internet, wherein the
`paper trading cards and/or playing rights to the trading cards
`are associated with unique identifiers. The trading card's
`unique identifiers are registered with game service providers
`and used for playing an online fantasy sports game.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0012] The embodiments described herein provide systems
`and methods for providing game components for playing a
`trading card game on either a physical play platform and/or an
`electronic platform. One embodiment includes a method for
`generating a game component for a trading card game com(cid:173)
`prising generating a trading card for playing the trading card
`game in a physical play platform, generating an electronic
`version of the trading card for playing on a first electronic
`platform and a second electronic platform and implementing
`a rule of play for the trading card in substantially the same
`manner on the physical play platform and on the first and/or
`second electronic platforms.
`[0013] Another embodiment includes a system for a trading
`card game comprising a central database manager configured
`to store a unique identifier, a rule of play and a trading card
`graphic, wherein the central database manager is configured
`to store the trading card graphic and a corresponding elec(cid:173)
`tronic version of the trading card. The central database man(cid:173)
`ager is also configured to manage the production of the trad(cid:173)
`ing card by assigning the unique identifier and the rule of play
`to the trading card and causing the trading card to be printed
`with the trading card graphic and the unique identifier. The
`trading card is configured for use by an owner for playing the
`trading card game in a physical play platform. The central
`database manager is further configured to receive the unique
`identifier from the owner submitted through a user interface.
`The user interface is in communication with the central data(cid:173)
`base manager and is configured to be accessed by the owner
`through multiple electronic platforms. The central database
`manager is also configured to activate the electronic version
`of the trading card for use by the owner for playing the trading
`card game on the multiple electronic platforms. Wherein, the
`rule of play is implemented in an equivalent manner in the
`physical play platform and the multiple electronic platforms
`for playing the trading card game.
`[0014] According to several embodiments, the system
`described above may include the central database manager
`configured to store a plurality of unique identifiers, a plurality
`of graphics for a plurality of trading cards, corresponding
`electronic versions of the plurality of trading cards, and a
`plurality of rules of play. The central database manager may
`also be configured to manage the production of the plurality
`of trading cards comprising assigning, to each of the plurality
`of trading cards, a different one of the plurality of unique
`identifiers, at least one of the plurality of graphics and at least
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 18
`
`
`
`US 2009/0051114 Al
`
`Feb.26,2009
`
`2
`
`one of the plurality of rules of play. Additionally, the central
`database manager may be configured to activate an electronic
`version of one or more of the plurality of trading cards upon
`receiving one of the plurality of unique identifiers from an
`owner. The plurality of trading cards are configured for use by
`the owner for playing the trading card game on the physical
`play platform and/or the multiple electronic platforms.
`[0015] Additionally, the systemmayprovidethattheruleof
`play of the trading card affects another rule of play for another
`trading card. The rules of play affect game play equivalently
`when playing the trading card game in either the physical play
`platform and/or multiple electronic platforms.
`[0016]
`In other embodiments the system may comprise a
`game component related to the trading card. The central data(cid:173)
`base manager may be configured to store a unique identifier
`and a rule of play for the game component. The central data(cid:173)
`base manager is further configured to manage the production
`of the game component comprising assigning the unique
`identifier and the rule of play to the game component, wherein
`the rule of play of the game component affects the rule of play
`of one of the plurality of trading cards during game play. In
`some embodiments, the game component is a game code
`retrieved from viewing media content.
`[0017] According to several embodiments the multiple
`electronic media platforms may include at least two of a
`personal computer, a mobile telephone, a game console and a
`handheld gaming device.
`[0018] Another embodiment includes a method for gener(cid:173)
`ating a trading card, including storing, on a central database
`manager, a unique identifier, a graphic for a first trading card,
`an electronic version of the trading card and a rule of play. The
`method further includes managing, at the central database
`manager, the production of the trading card including assign(cid:173)
`ing the unique identifier and the rule of play to the trading card
`and causing the trading card to be printed with the graphic and
`the unique number. The trading card is configured for use by
`an owner for playing the trading card game in a physical play
`platform. The method may also include receiving the unique
`identifier, from the owner, submitted through a user interface,
`wherein the user interface is in communication with the cen(cid:173)
`tral database manager and is configured to be accessed by the
`owner through multiple electronic platforms. The method
`further includes activating, after receiving the unique identi(cid:173)
`fier, the electronic version of the trading card for use by the
`owner for playing the trading card game on the multiple
`electronic platforms, wherein the rule of play is implemented
`in an equivalent manner in the physical play platform and the
`multiple electronic platforms during game play.
`[0019] Another embodiment includes a series of trading
`cards, comprising creature trading cards comprising a crea(cid:173)
`ture identity, a unique identifier and a discipline having a
`variable value associated with the discipline. In some
`embodiments, two creature trading cards having the same
`creature identity include different unique identifiers and dif(cid:173)
`ferent values associated with the discipline.
`[0020] Another embodiment includes series of trading
`cards, comprising creature trading cards comprising a crea(cid:173)
`ture identity, a unique identifier and an energy level having a
`variable value. In some embodiments, two creature trading
`cards having the same creature identity include different
`unique identifiers and different values associated with the
`discipline.
`[0021] Another embodiment includes a series of trading
`cards for playing a game comprising a first trading card for a
`
`first character comprising a first unique identifier and a first
`variable rule of play. The series of trading cards also com(cid:173)
`prises a second trading card for a second character compris(cid:173)
`ing a second unique identifier and a second variable rule of
`play, wherein the first character is the same as the second
`character and wherein the second variable rule of play is
`different than the first variable rule of play.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0022] The above and other aspects, features and advan(cid:173)
`tages of the present embodiments will be more apparent from
`the following more particular description thereof, presented
`in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:
`[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`system for a trading card game;
`[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`trading card;
`[0025] FIG. 3A is a diagram depicting another embodiment
`of a system for a trading card game;
`[0026] FIG. 3B is a diagram further depicting another
`embodiment of FIG. 3A for a system for trading card game;
`[0027] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting the method of
`generating a trading card for a trading card game;
`[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`trading card game configuration;
`[0029] FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`trading card game configuration;
`[0030] FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`trading card;
`[0031] FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting another embodiment
`of a trading card;
`[0032] FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting another embodiment
`of a trading card;
`[0033] FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting another embodiment
`of a trading card;
`[0034] FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting another embodiment
`of a trading card;
`[0035] FIG. 12 is a diagram depicting an electronic version
`of a trading card game configuration;
`[0036] FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`trading card;
`[0037] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram depicting a method for
`generating a game component; and
`[0038] FIG. 15 is a diagram depicting an embodiment of a
`system for a trading card game.
`[0039] Corresponding reference characters indicate corre(cid:173)
`sponding components throughout the several views of the
`drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
`figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
`necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimen(cid:173)
`sions, sizing, and/or relative placement of some of the ele(cid:173)
`ments in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
`elements to help to improve understanding of various
`embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements
`that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible
`embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less
`obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will also be
`understood that the terms and expressions used herein have
`the ordinary meaning as is usually accorded to such terms and
`expressions by those skilled in the corresponding respective
`
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`areas of inquiry and study except where other specific mean(cid:173)
`ings have otherwise been set forth herein.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0040] The following description is not to be taken in a
`limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describ(cid:173)
`ing the general principles of the embodiments described
`herein. The scope of the invention should be determined with
`reference to the claims. The present embodiments address the
`problems described in the background while also addressing
`other additional problems as will be seen from the following
`detailed description.
`[0041] The embodiments described herein relate to a trad(cid:173)
`ing card game playable on multiple platforms, and a method
`of generating the trading cards and for playing the trading
`card game in either a physical play platform and on an elec(cid:173)
`tronic platform. None of the previous trading card systems
`described above provide the ability of the owner of a trading
`card to choose to play the trading card game in either a
`physical play format or an interactive electronic format. None
`of the previous trading card systems disclose a central system
`that controls the production of the trading card and/or game
`components in both the physical and electronic formats,
`which also communicates with a user interface for registering
`the trading cards and/or playing the trading card game on
`multiple electronic platforms.
`[0042] Some of the embodiments described herein allow
`the player to readily choose between both the physical and
`electronic interactive formats of game play wherein, for
`example, the opponents play face-to-face with the physical
`format of the trading card and/or in an interactive electronic
`format on multiple electronic platforms.
`[0043] According to several embodiments, "trading card"
`refers to a physical or material representation including, for
`example, cardboard, plastic, cloth, metal or other similar
`material. Additionally, an electronic version of the trading
`card is a two or three dimensional graphical version, which is
`presented by electronic means on a display.
`[0044] According to several embodiments of the present
`invention, the trading card game allows two players, or two
`teams of players, to battle against each other using trading
`cards implementing rules of play in an attempt to decide a
`winner. In some embodiments, the trading cards comprise
`graphics or other identifying means that correspond to a rule
`of play. By way of example, a player may purchase, collect or
`trade the trading cards and/or game components in order to
`construct one or more decks of trading cards. Some players
`may select to only collect and display his/her trading cards
`and card portfolio. The decks of trading cards may include
`unique attributes for use in game play. In some embodiments,
`some of the trading cards with a particular graphic and/or
`characteristic are rare to find, and thus, may be more difficult
`for a player to be able purchase or collect. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the rare trading cards may be more valuable in game
`play. Additionally and/or alternatively, a particular graphic
`and/or characteristic of a card may be duplicated in another
`card in a deck of cards, and, for example, the duplicated cards
`may correspond to the same rule of play.
`[0045] Game play may include physical trading cards and/
`or game components with rules of play effectuated in a physi(cid:173)
`cal play platform and/or with an electronic version of the
`trading cards and/or game component and the equivalent
`rules of play effectuated electronically. The players directly
`
`control and advance the game play in both the physical play
`platform and/or on the electronic platform in real-time.
`[0046] Referring first to FIG. 1, a diagram is shown depict(cid:173)
`ing an embodiment of a system for a trading card game. The
`system 100 comprises a central database manager 102, a first
`trading card 104, a card owner 106, a first electronic platform
`108, a second electronic platform 110, and a user interface
`112. According to several embodiments, the first trading card
`104 includes a unique identifier 114. The central database
`manager 102 stores a first rule of play 116 and an electronic
`version 118 of the first trading card 104. The central database
`manager 102, for example, is configured to manage the pro(cid:173)
`duction of the first trading card 104. The central database
`manager 102 is also coupled to the user interface 112, and the
`user interface 112 is accessible by the card owner 106 through
`multiple electronic platforms, for example, the first electronic
`platform 108 and the second electronic platform 110.
`[0047] According to several embodiments, the central data(cid:173)
`base manager 102 is a computer and/or server configured to
`manage the generation of the first trading card 104. The
`central database manager 102 is configured to electronically
`store, for example, a particular graphic for producing the first
`trading card 104. The central database manager 102 manages
`the production of the first trading card 104 by, for example,
`having the graphic printed on a piece of material in a physical
`form. The first trading card 104 is then purchased by the card
`owner 106.
`[0048] The card owner 106 is also supplied with the first
`rule of play 116 that corresponds to the first trading card 104
`for playing the trading card game. A rule of play 116, for
`example, may be rules for selling, collecting, moving a crea(cid:173)
`ture, trading, attacking, eliminating, battling, growing and/or
`nurturing a physical or electronic game component. The rule
`of play 116 corresponding to the first trading card 104 is
`implemented by a player during a trading card game, and may
`be used, for example, to win a battle, eliminate an opponent,
`increase a score, move a position, etc. Examples of rules of
`play 116 are further provided below in regards to the descrip(cid:173)
`tion of FIGS. 5-13.
`[0049]
`In some embodiments, the central database manager
`102 manages the production of a plurality of trading cards in
`a similar fashion to the first trading card 104. A player, col(cid:173)
`lector, participant, seller, buyer or the like, e.g., the card
`owner 106, purchases or collects the trading cards to create a
`deck of cards. A deck of trading cards is used by the card
`owner 106 for playing the trading card game face-to-face with
`an opponent. In some embodiments, the deck of cards, having
`been collected, includes more than one trading card having
`the same graphic of the first trading card 104, and in other
`embodiments, the first trading card 104 may be rare, and thus,
`not duplicated. Although the graphic of the first trading card
`104 may be duplicated, the first trading card 104 includes the
`unique identifier 114 which is not duplicated in other the
`trading card and/or game component produced from the cen(cid:173)
`tral database manager 102.
`[0050] Accordingly, the central database manager 102 is
`also configured to store the unique identifier 114, the first rule
`of play 116 and the electronic version 118 corresponding to
`the first trading card 104. The card owner 106 is then able
`access the electronic version 118 of the first trading card 104
`by registering the unique identifier 114 with an online com(cid:173)
`munity and/or network, for example, through a web site
`browser on a the Internet and/or a software application locally
`stored on an electronic device. The unique identifier 114 may
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`be in the form of a numeric code, alphanumeric code, bar
`code, graphical code, magnetic code or the like, and the
`unique identifier 114 ensures each of the plurality of trading
`cards and game components are unique.
`[0051] According to several embodiments, the card owner
`106 may access the user interface 112 via one of the multiple
`electronic platforms, for example, the first electronic plat(cid:173)
`form 108 and/or the second electronic platform 110. The first
`electronic platform 108 and the second electronic platform
`110 both include a display for displaying content to the card
`owner 106 and an input device for the card owner 106. The
`input device allows a user to interact or provide input to the
`electronic platforms. The multiple electronic platforms are,
`for example, a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a
`personal digital assistant (PDA), a game console or a hand(cid:173)
`held gaming device.
`[0052] Additionally, the first and second electronic plat(cid:173)
`forms 108, 110 are configured to access and display the user
`interface 112 to the card owner 106. In some embodiments,
`the user interface 112 may display a website to the card owner
`106, wherein the first and second electronic platforms 108,
`110 are configured to access the website over the Internet. In
`one embodiment, the first and second electronic platforms
`108, 110 are networked together and/or networked to the
`central database manager 102, and may further be configured
`to access the central database manager 102 over the Internet
`and/or a cable, telephone and/or a cellular network. Accord(cid:173)
`ing to several embodiments, the user interface 112 displays a
`website stored on, and/or served from, the central database
`manager 102. Furthermore, the user interface 112 may be a
`software application stored on an electronic platform, and
`may include multiple formats for working on different types
`of electronic platforms. In some embodiments, the user inter(cid:173)
`face 112 software application may be stored on the central
`database manager 102 and, for example, sent to an electronic
`platform upon request through a website,
`[0053] Referring next to FIG. 2, shown is a diagram depict(cid:173)
`ing an em