WIRELESS CHARGING OF ELECTRONIC GAMING INPUT DEVICES
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant'"'"'s experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1-6. -6. (canceled)
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7. A method for wirelessly charging an input device for a live-action game, computer game, video game, home gaming console or hand-held game unit of the type comprising a housing sized and adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user to control or activate one or more desired play effects within a selected game by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in accordance with one or more particular motions, the housing having an internal cavity formed therein sized and adapted to receive and contain one or more replaceable batteries for powering said input device, said method comprising:
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inserting into said internal cavity in place of said one or more replaceable batteries a magnetic inductance energy generator comprising an inductance coil or wire sized and arranged such that when it is exposed to a fluctuating magnetic field an alternating current is generated; exposing said inductance coil or wire to a fluctuating magnetic field to thereby generate said alternating current; converting said alternating current into electrical energy; and storing said electrical energy within said internal cavity of said input device for powering said input device; whereby said input device can be wirelessly charged and operated by a user without need for wires, electrical connectors or replaceable batteries. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A wirelessly-chargeable wireless input device for a live-action game, computer game, video game, home gaming console or hand-held game unit, comprising:
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a housing sized and adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user to control or activate one or more desired play effects within a selected game by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in accordance with one or more particular motions, said housing having an internal cavity formed therein sized and adapted to receive and contain one or more batteries or other power sources and associated circuitry for activating and operating said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry comprising one or more sensors configured and arranged within said housing so as to generate an input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said housing; a transmitter capable of wireless communication with at least one external receiver associated with said live-action game, computer game, video game, home gaming console or hand-held game unit, said transmitter being configured to send to said at least one external receiver a command signal based at least in part on said input signal; a receiver capable of wireless communication with at least one external transmitter associated with said live-action game, computer game, video game, home gaming console or hand-held game unit, said receiver being configured to receive from said at least one external transmitter a data signal containing information relevant to a game selected to be played by said user; a magnetic inductance energy generator comprising an inductance coil or wire sized and arranged such that when it is exposed to a fluctuating magnetic field electrical energy is generated; and a capacitor or rechargeable battery disposed within said cavity and electrically coupled to said magnetic inductance energy generator and said associated circuitry for storing said electrical energy for activating and operating said input device; whereby said input device can be wirelessly charged and wirelessly operated by a user without need for wires, electrical connectors or replaceable batteries. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A charging system for wirelessly charging a motion-sensitive input device for a live-action game, computer game, video game, home gaming console or hand-held game unit of the type comprising a housing sized and adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user to control or activate one or more desired play effects within a selected game by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in accordance with one or more particular motions, the housing having an internal cavity formed therein sized and adapted to receive and contain one or more batteries or other power sources for powering said input device, said charging system comprising:
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a magnetic inductance energy generator comprising an inductance coil or wire sized and arranged so as to be inserted into said internal cavity, said inductance coil or wire being further sized and arranged such that when it is exposed to a fluctuating magnetic field an alternating current is thereby generated; a rectifier electrically coupled to said inductance coil or wire and sized and arranged so as to be inserted into said internal cavity, said rectifier being arranged and adapted to convert said alternating current generated by said inductance coil or wire into a rectified current; a voltage regulator electrically coupled to said inductance coil or wire and said rectifier and sized and arranged so as to be inserted into said internal cavity, said voltage regulator being arranged and adapted to convert said rectified current into useable electrical energy; a capacitor or rechargeable battery electrically coupled to said voltage regulator and sized and arranged so as to be inserted into said internal cavity for storing said electrical energy and for powering said input device; and means for generating a fluctuating magnetic field having sufficient intensity and proximity relative to said inductance coil or wire so as to generate said alternating current and to thereby wirelessly charge said input device; whereby said charging system enables a motion-sensitive input device to be wirelessly charged and operated by a user without need for replaceable batteries. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification