Interactive entertainment using a mobile device with object tagging and/or hyperlinking

• US 10,518,169 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2016
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Inventors: Briggs, Rick Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US15/339,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20170043244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Systems and methods for an interactive game using a multi-functional hand-held personal mobile device, such as a smart phone or entertainment device use the smart phone or other mobile device to find and/or activate various effects and items in the real world, then connect those items and effects together to provide a purpose to finding the effects/items consistent with the game theme. Embodiments include themes related to a treasure hunt with items that may or may not respond to the player detecting or finding them. In other embodiments, the mobile device may trigger and activate multiple layers of videos, phone calls, internet access, texts, voiceovers, puzzles and numerous other actions and results tied into a complex gaming adventure.

Claims

1. A method for interactive gaming comprising:

providing a gaming object;

capturing an image using a mobile device having a camera;

processing the image for identification of at least a portion of the image;

manipulating the gaming object based at least in part on the identification of at least the portion of the image;

retrieving data based on the identification of at least the portion of the image; and

superimposing the data over at least a part of the image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the image is a static image.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the image is a video image.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein identification of at least the portion of the image comprises identification of a tag.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the tag is an active tag.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the tag is a passive tag.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the passive tag is a QR code, datamatrix, semacode, SPARQCode, barcode, ShotCode, High Capacity Color Barcode, or Aztec Code.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of processing the image for identification comprises performing software image recognition on the image for identifying a physical object captured in the image.

9. A method of interaction comprising:

providing an object;

capturing an image using a mobile device having a camera;

processing the image for identification of at least a portion of the image;

manipulating the object based at least in part on the identification of at least the portion of the image;

retrieving data based on the identification of at least the portion of the image; and

superimposing the data over at least a part of the image.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the image is a static image.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the image is a video image.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein identification of at least the portion of the image comprises identification of a tag.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the tag is an active tag.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the tag is a passive tag.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the passive tag is a QR code, datamatrix, semacode, SPARQCode, barcode, ShotCode, High Capacity Color Barcode, or Aztec Code.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of processing the image for identification comprises performing software image recognition on the image for identifying a physical object captured in the image.

17. A method of interaction by a user comprising:

providing an object;

capturing an image using a mobile device having a camera;

processing the image for identification of at least a portion of the image;

triggering an action associated with the object based at least in part on the identification of at least the portion of the image;

retrieving data based on the identification of at least the portion of the image; and

superimposing the data over at least a part of the image.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the image is a static image.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the image is a video image.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein identification of at least the portion of the image comprises identification of a tag.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the tag is an active tag.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the tag is a passive tag.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the passive tag is a QR code, datamatrix, semacode, SPARQCode, barcode, ShotCode, High Capacity Color Barcode, or Aztec Code.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of processing the image for identification comprises performing software image recognition on the image for identifying a physical object captured in the image.