Apparatus and Methods of Physical Game Components

• US 20070197297A1
• Filed: 02/20/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vanav Holdings
• Original Assignee: Nicholas J. Witchey
• Inventors: Witchey, Nicholas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,206,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• 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 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, and methods relating to a physical object that are associated with a virtual game world are described. Some embodiments of the physical object have an in-game value within the virtual game world. Software operating the virtual game world ascribes purchasing power or attributes having offensive, defensive, opportunity, or set values as their in-game values. Methods associated with the subject matter relate to relocating an asset of the game component from one asset storage area to another asset storage area. When relocated, an asset'"'"'s authenticity is validated, retrieved from a first storage area, exchanged over a communications interface, or stored in a second asset storage area.

Claims

1. A physical object having at least two surfaces, and an interface that communicates with a virtual game world that associates an in-game value with the object.

2. The object of claim 1, further comprising a memory that contains an electronic asset that cooperates with software that identifies the object to the virtual game world.

3. The object of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a wireless transmitter.

4. The object of claim 3, wherein the interface comprises at least one of RFID, IrDA, 802.11, Bluetooth, wireless USB, user, and optical interface.

5. The object of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a wired connector.

6. The object of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a figurine of a being that exists within the virtual game world.

7. The object of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a figurine of an inanimate object that exists within the virtual game world.

8. The object of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a figurine of currency within the virtual game world.

9. A software that operates the game world of claim 1.

14. A web site that offers the object of claim 1 for sale.

15. A web site that offers to purchase the object of claim 1.

10. The software of claim 10, further comprising instructions that operate a user interface that ascribes purchasing power as the in-game value.

11. The software of claim 10, further comprising instructions that operates a user interface that ascribes an offensive attribute as the in-game value.

12. The software of claim 10, further comprising instructions that operates a user interface that ascribes a defensive attribute as the in-game value.

13. The software of claim 10, further comprising instructions that operates a user interface that ascribes an opportunity attribute as the in-game value.

16. A method of relocating an asset of a game component having an asset communication interface and a first asset storage area where the asset is stored in the first asset storage area, comprising:

(a) validating the asset'"'"'s authenticity;

(b) retrieving the asset from the first asset storage area;

(c) exchanging the asset over the asset communication interface; and

(d) storing the asset in a second asset storage area.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing a connection with the game component.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising deleting the asset from the first asset storage area.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprises exchanging the asset through a communication interface proxy.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the second asset storage area is a database.

21. A method of producing a collectible game component having an asset storage area comprising:

(a) creating the game component based on a rarity policy; and

(b) storing a re-locatable asset in the asset storage area.

22. The method of 21, wherein the step of creating the game component includes manufacturing a physical form for the game component.