INTERACTIVE TRANSFORMING ANIMATED HANDHELD GAME

• US 20090082114A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Inventors: Stratford, Victoria
• Application Number:
  US12/236,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20090082114A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• 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 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/3662 modular, e.g. with connections between modules
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0023 Foldable, rollable, collapsible or segmented boards A63F3/027 takes precedence

Abstract

An interactive handheld electronic game product includes a mechanically transformable casing, which upon mechanical transformation, signals transformation of the functionality of certain inputs as well as aspects of the virtual on-screen environment, e.g. the displayed characters. The transformed functionality of the inputs and the transformed aspects of the virtual environment remain locked or static until further mechanical transformation. A visual display on a frame block displays two or more virtual environments corresponding separately to the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration of the toy block assembly. A user input switch is provided for controlling the displayed virtual environments, and an extension sensor is disposed between the frame block and an extension block. A memory device provides memory segments in communication with a processor responsive to the extension sensor to enable generation of extended configuration inputs with the user input switch for controlling the display in the virtual environment corresponding to the extended configuration.

Claims

1. A user transformable handheld game comprising:

a toy block assembly having a first standard configuration and a second extended configuration, the toy block assembly comprising,

a frame block, and

an extension block that is manipulatable by the user into the second extended configuration with the extension block connected to the frame block;

a display on the frame block for displaying two or more virtual environments corresponding separately to the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration of the toy block assembly;

a user input switch for controlling the displayed virtual environments;

an extension sensor disposed between the frame block and the extension block;

an information processor; and

a memory device comprising one or more memory segments in communication with the information processor, the memory device and the information processor being responsive to the extension sensor to enable generation of extended configuration inputs with the user input switch for controlling the display in the virtual environment corresponding to the second extended configuration.

2. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 1 in which the extension block of the toy block assembly is pivotably mounted to the frame block.

3. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 1 in which the extension block of the toy block assembly is slidably mounted to the frame block.

4. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 1 wherein the memory device is programmed with one or more preprogrammed games.

5. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 1 wherein the memory device comprises a memory segment to store a database.

6. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 4 further comprising a speaker to output audio during play of the one or more preprogrammed games.

7. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 4 wherein the memory device further comprises:

a first memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing the one or more preprogrammed games, the one or more preprogrammed games causing the information processor to generate a transformation of the virtual character on the display upon receipt of an input signal generated in response to a movement from the first standard configuration to the second extended configuration;

a second memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing the one or more preprogrammed games, the one or more preprogrammed games causing, upon receipt of an input signal generated in response to contact with the extension sensor, the information processor to generate a change in the virtual character on the display; and

a third memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing information in a database, said information to be used during game play.

8. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 4 in which the game program displays a virtual environment corresponding to the first standard configuration and a different virtual environment corresponding to the second extended configuration of the toy block assembly.

9. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 1 further comprising a display package for retail sale allowing manipulation from the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration and display of game play.

10. A user transformable handheld game comprising:

a toy block assembly having a first standard configuration and a second extended configuration, the toy block assembly comprising,

a frame block, and

an extension block that is manipulatable by the user into the second extended configuration with the extension block connected to the frame block;

a display on the frame block for displaying two or more virtual environments corresponding separately to the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration of the toy block assembly;

a user input switch for controlling the displayed virtual environments;

an extension sensor disposed between the frame block and the extension block;

an information processor; and

a memory device comprising one or more memory segments in communication with the information processor, the memory device and the information processor being responsive to the extension sensor to enable generation of extended configuration inputs with the user input switch for controlling the display in the virtual environment corresponding to the second extended configuration wherein the one or more memory segments comprise,

a first memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing one or more preprogrammed games, the one or more preprogrammed games causing the information processor to generate a transformation of the virtual character on the display upon receipt of an input signal generated in response to a movement from the first standard configuration to the second extended configuration;

a second memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing the one or more preprogrammed games, the one or more preprogrammed games causing, upon receipt of an input signal generated in response to contact with the extension sensor, the information processor to generate a change in the virtual character on the display;

a third memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing information in a database, said information to be used during game play;

a fourth memory segment in communication with the information processor for retrieving information from the database, said information to be used to control access to the one or more preprogrammed games; and

a fifth memory segment in communication with the information processor for storing the one or more preprogrammed games, the one or more preprogrammed games causing the information processor to generate a movement of the virtual character on the display upon receipt of an input signal generated in response to contact with the user input switch.

11. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 10 in which the extension block of the toy block assembly is pivotably mounted to the frame block.

12. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 10 in which the extension block of the toy block assembly is slidably mounted to the frame block.

13. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 10 further comprising a speaker to output audio during play of the one or more preprogrammed games.

14. The user transformable handheld game according to claim 10 further comprising a display package for retail sale allowing manipulation from the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration and display of game play.

15. A method for transforming the casing and the environment of a handheld game comprising:

extending a toy block assembly having a first standard configuration and a second extended configuration from a frame block manipulatable with an extension block into the second extended configuration with the extension block connected to the frame block;

displaying on the frame block two or more virtual environments corresponding separately to the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration of the toy block assembly;

controlling the displayed virtual environments by depressing a user input switch;

signaling an extension sensor disposed between the frame block and the extension block to shift between the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration; and

communicating between a memory device and an information processor, the memory device and the information processor responding to the extension sensor and generating extended configuration inputs with the user input switch controlling the display in the virtual environment corresponding to the second extended configuration.

16. The method for transforming the casing and the environment of a handheld game according to claim 15 further comprising a speaker for outputting audio during game play.

17. The method for transforming the casing and the environment of a handheld game according to claim 15 further comprising packaging for retail sale allowing manipulation from the first standard configuration and the second extended configuration and display of game play.

18. The method for transforming the casing and the environment of a handheld game according to claim 15 wherein the communicating step between the memory device and the information processor further comprises the steps of:

generating a transformation of the virtual character on the display upon receipt of an input signal in response to a movement from the first standard configuration to the second extended configuration;

generating a change in the virtual character on the display in response to contact with the extension sensor;

storing information in a database to be used during game play;

retrieving information from the database, said information to be used to control access to the one or more preprogrammed games; and

generating a movement of the virtual character on the display upon receipt of an input signal generated in response to contact with the user input switch.

19. The method for transforming the casing and the environment of a handheld game according to claim 18 wherein generating the step of generating the transformation of the virtual character on the display upon receipt of the input signal in response to a movement from the first standard configuration to the second extended configuration further comprises transformation strategy elements during game play of the one or more preprogrammed games.

20. The method for transforming the casing and the environment of a handheld game according to claim 18 wherein generating the step of generating the movement of the virtual character further comprises transformation strategy elements during game play of the one or more preprogrammed games.