Interactive playing/trading card system

• US 20020040929A1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bramucci
• Original Assignee: Robert Bramucci
• Inventors: Bramucci, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/964,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20020040929A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/435
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/04 Card games combined with other games
• 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 13/335 using Internet
• 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 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/0441 with a written message or sentence, e.g. chance or instruction cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/0475 with pictures or figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2419 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• 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 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

An interactive playing/trading card system is described herein. This system includes a plurality of encoded cards, a controller, a card reader, memory and an output device. Information relating to the nature of the card is provided on each card to allow its identification by the card reader. Once this data is supplied to the controller, the corresponding portion of the memory may be accessed to be transferred to the output device to provide user interactivity.

Claims

1. An interactive card system comprising:

at least one card provided with encoded data;

a card reader assembly including;

a controller;

a card reader connected to said controller;

said card reader being configured to decode the data provided on said at least one card;

memory associated with said controller;

said memory being configured to store data relating to said at least one card;

an output device connected to said controller;

wherein said controller is so configured that when the encoded data of one of said at least one card is decoded by said card reader, a corresponding portion of said memory is accessed by said controller and is supplied to said output device.

2. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an input device connected to said controller to enable the user to input data to said controller.

3. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a link to a computer network.

4. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, wherein said encoded data is in the form of bar code data and wherein said card reader includes a bar code reader.

5. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, wherein said encoded data is in the form of color-encoded data and wherein said card reader includes a color encoded card reader.

6. An interactive card system as recited in claim 5, wherein said color encoded data is coded via the use of colored dots.

7. An interactive card system as recited in claim 6, wherein said colored dots have essentially similar colors differentiable by a sensor of said card reader.

8. An interactive card system as recited in claim 6, wherein said colored dots are varnished using varnishes having different reflectivity detectable by a sensor of said card reader.

9. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, wherein each said at least one card includes a microchip and wherein said encoded data is included in said microchip;

wherein said card reader includes a microchip reader.

10. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one card includes at least one playing card.

11. An interactive card system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one card includes at least one trading card.

13. A card reader assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising an input device connected to said controller to enable the user to input data to said controller.

14. A card reader assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a link to a computer network.

15. A card reader assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein card reader includes a bar code reader.

16. A card reader assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said card reader includes a color encoded card reader.

17. A card reader assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said color encoded card reader may distinguish between different reflectivity varnishes.

18. A card reader assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said card reader includes a microchip reader.

12. A card reader assembly to read encoded data provided on a card;

said assembly comprising;

a controller;

a card reader connected to said controller;

said card reader being configured to decode the data encoded on a card;

memory associated with said controller;

said memory being configured to store data relating to said card;

an output device connected to said controller;

wherein said controller is so configured that when the encoded data of a card is decoded by said card reader, a corresponding portion of said memory is accessed by said controller and supplied to said output device.

19. An interactive card system comprising:

at least one card provided with encoded data;

a card reader assembly including;

controlling means;

card reading means connected to said controlling means;

said card reading means decoding the data provided on said at least one card;

memory associated with said controlling means to store data relating to said at least one card;

output means connected to said controlling means;

wherein said controlling is so configured that when the encoded data of one of said at least one card is decoded by said card reading means, a corresponding portion of said memory is accessed by said controlling means and supplied to said output means.