Interactive action figures for gaming systems

• US 10,112,114 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2016
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ganz
• Original Assignee: Ganz
• Inventors: Borge, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deodhar, Omkar
• Application Number:
  US15/235,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20160346698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/493 Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5526 Game data structure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/554 by saving game or status data
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 : involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 : for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 : Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 13/02 : imitating natural actions, e.g. catching a mouse by a cat, the kicking of an animal

Abstract

An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character'"'"'s traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.

Claims

1. An entertainment system comprising:

a computer game, executed on a computer controlled by a game player;

said computer game including a character of said computer game that is a controllable character within said computer game, and the game player maneuvering said character in said computer game to achieve progress in the computer game involving the character,

wherein said character expires in said computer game during playing of the computer game;

a three-dimensional item, that is a likeness in three dimensions of an item that appears in the computer game and is associated in the computer game with the character;

said three-dimensional item including an access code associated with the item; and

said computer preventing the character from being used for play after the character expires in said computer game, and said computer reviving said character to activate said character to play, by accepting entry of said access code into said computer.

2. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

Internet gaining interface, computer, computer with compact disc (CD), Play Station 2, X-Box, and other dedicated computer gaining system.

3. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein said three-dimensional item and said access code are packaged together in a package, such that said access code cannot be seen by an outside observer until a package containing said three-dimensional item and said access code is opened.

4. The entertainment system of claim 1 further comprising:

a remote server that manages said computer game being played on said computer and a life of said character in said computer game; and

a communication network that connects said remote server to said computer.

5. The entertainment system of claim 4, wherein said communication network is the Internet.

6. The entertainment system of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of additional computers connected to said remote server via said communication network such that said remote server manages game play for said computer game played between said plurality of additional computers and said computer, and such that said computer plays said computer game actively against a plurality of opponents playing on said plurality of additional computers.

7. The entertainment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of additional computers connected together and to said computer such that said computer plays said computer game actively against a plurality of opponents playing on said plurality of additional interactive gaining systems; and

an electronic communication network that connects said plurality of additional computers and said computer together.

8. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the item includes multiple access codes associated therewith, including the access code that revives the character, and another code that updates an identity of the character.

11. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the access code is attached to or implanted in the item.

12. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the item is a three-dimensional figure that is a likeness in three dimensions of the character.

13. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the item is an accessory item that is used by the character in the game.

14. The entertainment system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said plurality of additional computers has at least one additional character of said computer game that is an additional controllable character of said computer game activated by an additional access code packaged with an additional three-dimensional item that is a representation in three dimensions of said at least one additional character of said computer game.

9. A method of playing a computer game comprising the steps of:

playing a computer game on a computer controlled by a game player;

said computer game including a character of the computer game, said character of said computer game being a controllable character in said computer game, and the game player maneuvering said character in said computer game to achieve progress in the game, involving the character;

causing said character to expire in said computer game during playing of the game, rendering the character unusable in said computer game until a time when the character is revived;

providing a three-dimensional item, that is a likeness in three dimensions of an item that appears in the computer game and is associated in the computer game with the character;

providing an access code associated with said three-dimensional item;

accepting entry of said access code into said computer; and

reviving said character by said computer based on said access code entered into said computer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said computer comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

Internet gaining interface, computer, computer with compact disc (CD), Play Station, X-Box, and other dedicated computer gaining system.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said three-dimensional item and said access code are packaged together in a package, such that said access code cannot be seen by an outside observer until a package containing said three-dimensional item and said access code is opened.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the access code is attached to or implanted in the item.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the item is a three-dimensional figure that is a likeness in three dimensions of the character.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the item is an accessory item that is used by the character in the computer game.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the item includes multiple access codes associated therewith, including the access code that revives the character, and another code that updates an identity of the character.