MULTI-PLATFORM GAMING SYSTEM USING RFID-TAGGED TOYS

• US 20120190452A1
• Filed: 04/05/2012
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: Creative Kingdoms LLC (Great Wolf Resorts Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weston, Denise Chapman, Barney, Jonathan A., Briggs, Rick A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,702,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• 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 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• 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 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00145 Board games concerning treasure-hunting, fishing, hunting capturing fishing games A63F9/305
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/009 : Toy swords or similar toy weapons; Toy shields
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A multi-platform gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game on a gaming platform is described. The multi-platform gaming system can include collectible toys depicting or representing one or more game characters or objects relevant to a game adapted to be played on the gaming platform. The collectible toys can have associated therewith an RFID tag including a corresponding unique tag identification number. The RFID tag can include an antenna, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and non-volatile programmable memory for storing game-relevant information describing skills, abilities or attributes associated with one of said game characters or objects.

Claims

1. A multi-platform gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game on a gaming platform comprising one or more video game consoles, home game consoles, hand-held game units, computer gaming devices, internet gaming devices or live-action gaming facilities, said gaming system comprising:

a plurality of collectible toys depicting or representing one or more game characters or objects relevant to a game adapted to be played on a gaming platform, each of said plurality of collectible toys having associated therewith an RFID tag comprising a corresponding unique tag identification number, each said RFID tag comprising at least one antenna, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and non-volatile programmable memory configured to store game-relevant information describing skills, abilities or attributes associated with one of said game characters or objects;

each of said plurality of collectible toys having stored in the non-volatile programmable memory thereof game-relevant information pertaining to one of said game characters or objects and wherein at least a portion of said game-relevant information is encrypted;

a portable reader device configured to wirelessly transmit and receive information to and from one or more of said plurality of collectible toys, said portable reader device comprising an RFID tag reader configured and adapted to wirelessly power and communicate with each said RFID tag when a corresponding one of said plurality of collectible toys is presented within a readable range of a portable reader device, said portable reader device further configured to communicate with said gaming platform such that game-relevant information can be communicated to and from each said presented collectible toy and said gaming platform and wherein said communicated information includes at least said unique tag identification number; and

game software adapted to be executed by said gaming platform to carry out said game, said game software including program instructions for instructing said gaming platform to conduct an interactive character-based game in which said one or more game characters are visually and aurally represented by computer animation and wherein said one or more game participants are able to advance in the game at least in part by finding clues, solving puzzles or completing challenges presented by the game software and wherein said one or more game participants are further able to develop through game play progression skills, abilities or attributes associated with said one or more game characters or objects, said game software further including program instructions for causing said gaming platform to communicate selected character or object information pertaining to said developed skills, abilities or attributes to said portable reader device and for further causing said portable reader device to store corresponding character or object information or other game-relevant information in the programmable memory of the corresponding collectible toy, said game software further including program instructions comprising an encryption algorithm for encrypting at least some portion of said game-relevant information prior to said portable reader device storing said game-relevant information in the programmable memory of said corresponding collectible toy;

whereby game participants are able to develop said skills, abilities or attributes of a particular game character or object represented by information stored on a collectible toy while playing a first game or first game session on said gaming platform and subsequently use the collectible toy to wirelessly communicate the stored information to the same or a different gaming platform and play a second game or second game session using substantially the same game character or object with some or all of said developed skills, abilities or attributes.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of collectible toys has an associated printed code for identifying or authenticating said collectible toy and wherein said code is printed on a corresponding ticket or sticker associated with each said corresponding collectible toy as part of a single combined retail packaged item.

3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said codes comprises an encrypted alpha-numeric code that is derived at least in part from a corresponding unique tag identification number.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises a passive RFID tag transponder comprising an integral RF transmitter/receiver circuit and a flat spiral wound antenna, said RFID tag transponder hermetically sealed within said at least one collectible toy.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said unique tag identification number is stored in said programmable memory and can be selectively changed or updated.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said programmable memory is further configured to store information uniquely identifying at least one of said one or more game participants, whereby said stored identifying information can be communicated to said gaming platform and used for purposes of scoring or creating a performance record for said at least one game participant.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises a token, trinket, wand, ball, stuffed animal, toy vehicle, or figurine, and wherein said RFID tag is sealed within said at least one collectible toy.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises a display screen for displaying selected game-relevant information.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys is configured and adapted to respond to light, sound, or voice commands.

10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys embodies a packaged retail product comprising a toy having both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment.

11. The gaming system of claim 10, said toy physically depicting or representing a game character or object from a character-based game adapted to be played out on said gaming platform, wherein said game characters or objects are visually/aurally represented by computer animation, said toy comprising:

a physical play object or collectible item;

an RFID tag embedded within or affixed to said toy, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identification number, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and programmable memory configured and adapted to selectively store certain game-relevant information pertaining to said game character or object;

selected game-relevant information stored in said programmable memory pertaining to said game character or object; and

a printed code for identifying or authenticating said game character or object, wherein said unique tag identification number or said printed code unlocks access to at least some portion or features of a relevant game.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said portable reader device further comprises an RF transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with a corresponding RF transceiver associated with said gaming platform.

13. The gaming system of claim 12, further comprising an RF transceiver module comprising an integral antenna and a communication interface, said RF transceiver module configured and adapted to interface with and communicate through a corresponding communication interface of said gaming platform to thereby provide two-way wireless communications between said portable reader device and said gaming platform.

14. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing said gaming platform to allow or deny access to certain areas or features of the game based at least in part on said unique tag identification number or said stored information.

15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing said gaming platform to generate and display an authenticating code to verify or authenticate one or more game-relevant events, and wherein a game participant can use said authenticating code to validate or communicate said one or more game-relevant events to a different gaming platform by inputting the displayed authenticating code into a user interface thereof.

16. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless motion-sensitive controller for wirelessly communicating one or more control inputs to said gaming platform, said motion-sensitive controller configured and adapted to be held and operated in a single hand of a game participant and operated at least in part by moving said controller in a waving or shaking motion to activate or control at least one effect within said game.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said motion-sensitive controller comprises a portable device configured to be held in one hand and moved freely through the air and operated by a game participant to wirelessly communicate said one or more control inputs to a wireless-enabled gaming platform, said portable device comprising an elongated body and motion- or position-sensitive circuitry operatively associated with said elongated body and configured and adapted to enable said portable device to be operated by moving the elongated body through the air in a waving or shaking motion to activate or control one or more visual effects associated with said game.

18. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising web-based game software executed by a web server to provide computer web-based game play, said web-based game software providing program instructions for operating a computer web-based game interface enabling said one or more game participants to register one or more of said plurality of collectible toys by inputting a corresponding printed code, authenticating said code and, if the code is determined to be authentic, providing one or more web-based games carried out using substantially the same game character or object as depicted or represented by each said corresponding registered collectible toy.

19. A packaged retail product comprising an RFID-tagged toy having both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment, said packaged retail product comprising:

a toy physically depicting or representing a particular game character or object from a character-based game played out on a gaming platform comprising one or more video game consoles, home game consoles, hand-held game units, computer gaming devices, internet gaming devices or live-action gaming facilities, wherein one or more game characters or objects are virtually represented in said game by computer animation, said toy comprising a physical play object or collectible item;

an RFID tag embedded within or affixed to said toy, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identification number, at least one antenna, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and programmable memory configured to store game-relevant information pertaining to said particular game character or object, including one or more relevant attributes, objectives accomplished, points earned or levels achieved;

wherein at least a portion of said game-relevant information stored in said programmable memory is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm; and

a printed code for identifying or authenticating said particular game character or object within said game, wherein said printed code unlocks at least some portion or features of said game or a separate game.

20. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said printed code is provided on a ticket or sticker associated with the toy as part of the packaged retail product.

21. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said code is encrypted using an encryption algorithm based at least in part on said unique tag identification number, and wherein said unique tag identification number can be validated or determined by reversing said encryption algorithm.

22. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag transponder comprising an integral RF transmitter and receiver circuit and a flat spiral wound antenna, and wherein said RFID tag transponder is sealed within said toy.

23. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said programmable memory is further configured to store information uniquely identifying a purchaser or user of said packaged retail product, whereby said stored identifying information can be communicated to said gaming platform and used for purposes of scoring or creating a performance record for said purchaser or user.

24. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said programmable memory is further configured to store information identifying one or more games, gaming platforms, play environments or locations where said toy has been used.

25. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said toy comprises a token, trinket, wand, ball, stuffed animal, toy vehicle, or figurine, and wherein said RFID tag transponder is sealed within said toy.

26. The packaged retail product of claim 19, further comprising a portable reader device configured to wirelessly transmit and receive information to and from said toy, said portable reader device comprising an RFID tag reader configured and adapted to wirelessly power and communicate with said RFID tag when said toy is presented within a readable range of said portable reader device, said portable reader device further configured to communicate with said gaming platform such that game-relevant information can be communicated to and from said toy and said gaming platform including communication of at least said unique tag identification number.

27. The packaged retail product of claim 26, further comprising an RF transceiver module comprising an integral antenna and a communication interface, said RF transceiver module configured and adapted to interface with and communicate through a corresponding communication interface of said gaming platform to thereby provide two-way wireless communications between said portable reader device and said gaming platform.

28. The packaged retail product of claim 26, further comprising game software adapted to be executed by said gaming platform to carry out said game, said game software including program instructions for causing said gaming platform to conduct an interactive character-based game in which said particular game character or object is visually and aurally represented by computer animation, and wherein a game participant is able to advance in the game at least in part by finding clues, solving puzzles or completing challenges presented by the game, and wherein said game participant is further able to develop through game play progression skills, abilities or attributes associated with said particular game character or object, said game software further including program instructions for causing said gaming platform to communicate selected character or object information describing or verifying said developed skills, abilities or attributes to said portable reader device and for further causing said portable reader device to store corresponding character or object information in the programmable memory of said toy.

29. The packaged retail product and combination of claim 28, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing said gaming platform to generate and display an authenticating code to verify or authenticate one or more game-relevant events, wherein a game participant can use said authenticating code to communicate said one or more game-relevant events to a different gaming platform by entering the displayed authenticating code into a user interface thereof.

30. The packaged retail product of claim 19, in combination with game software executed by a web server to provide computer web-based game play, said game software providing program instructions for operating a computer web-based game interface enabling a purchaser or user of said packaged retail product to register said toy by inputting said printed code, authenticating said printed code and using said authentication to access to one or more web-based games carried out using substantially the same game character or object depicted or represented by said toy.

48. The packaged retail product of claim 19, wherein said printed code is provided on a receipt associated with a retail purchase of said toy.

49. The packaged retail product and combination of claim 28, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing said gaming platform to provide a discount code or coupon that a game participant can use to obtain a discount in one or more identified retail venues.

31. An immersive interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game wherein one or more game characters or objects in said game have both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment, said gaming system comprising:

a gaming platform comprising a video game console, home game console, hand-held game unit, computer gaming device, internet gaming device or live-action gaming facility for playing a game where one or more game characters are visually and aurally represented through computer animation and wherein the game is controlled or directed at least in part using a motion-sensitive wireless hand-held controller adapted to be held in the air and operated in a single hand of a game participant by physically waving or shaking said controller to wirelessly communicate one or more desired control inputs to said gaming platform to thereby activate or control one or more corresponding effects within the game;

one or more wireless interactive toys comprising physical play objects or collectible items depicting or representing particular game characters or objects relevant to said game, each of said one or more interactive toys comprising an associated unique identification number, non-volatile programmable memory and internal circuitry for wirelessly communicating game-relevant information to said gaming platform, and wherein said game-relevant information includes at least said unique identification number;

at least one wireless communication device for automatically initiating and providing two-way wireless communication with said one or more wireless interactive toys when each said toy is presented within a communication range of said wireless communication device, said at least one wireless communication device further configured to provide two-way communication with said gaming platform such that said game-relevant information can be communicated to and from each said presented toy and said gaming platform; and

game software adapted to be executed by said gaming platform to carry out said game, said game software including program instructions for causing the gaming platform to conduct said game and wherein one or more game participants are able to advance in the game at least in part by finding clues, solving puzzles or completing challenges presented by the game and wherein said one or more game participants are further able through playing the game to develop certain skills, abilities or attributes associated with said one or more game characters or objects, said game software further including program instructions for storing certain information pertaining to said developed skills, abilities or attributes in the programmable memory of each corresponding wireless interactive toy, whereby game participants playing a first game or game session are able to develop skills, abilities or attributes of a particular virtual game character or object corresponding to a physical toy and wherein said physical toy is able to remember some or all of said developed skills, abilities or attributes in a subsequent game or game session using said toy.

32. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein said motion-sensitive controller comprises a portable device configured to be held in one hand and moved freely through the air and operated by a game participant to wirelessly communicate said one or more control inputs to said gaming platform, said portable device comprising an elongated body and motion- or position-sensitive circuitry operatively associated with said elongated body and configured and adapted to enable said portable device to be operated by moving the elongated body through the air in a waving or shaking motion to activate or control one or more visual effects associated with said game.

33. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein each of said one or more wireless interactive toys has an associated printed code for identifying or authenticating said interactive toy, and wherein said code is printed on a corresponding ticket or sticker associated with each said corresponding interactive toy as part of a single combined retail packaged item.

34. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises a passive RFID tag transponder comprising an integral RF transmitter and receiver circuit and a flat spiral wound antenna, said RFID tag transponder hermetically sealed within said at least one interactive toy.

35. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys has a programmable memory further configured to store information uniquely identifying at least one of said one or more game participants, whereby said stored identifying information can be communicated to one or more gaming platforms and used for purposes of scoring or creating a performance record for said at least one game participant.

36. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises a display screen for displaying selected game-relevant information.

37. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises a packaged retail product comprising an RFID-tagged toy having both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment, said packaged retail product comprising:

a toy physically depicting or representing a particular game character or object from said game;

an RFID tag embedded within or affixed to said toy, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identification number, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and programmable memory configured to selectively store game-relevant information pertaining to said particular game character or object;

selected game-relevant information stored in said programmable memory pertaining to said particular game character or object; and

a printed code for identifying or authenticating said particular game character or object within said game, wherein said unique tag identification number or said printed code unlocks at least some portion or features of said game.

38. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein said at least one wireless communication device comprises a short-range RF transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said one or more wireless interactive toys and a medium-range RF transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a corresponding RF transceiver associated with said gaming platform.

39. The gaming system of claim 38, further comprising an RF transceiver module comprising an integral antenna and a communication interface, said RF transceiver module configured to interface with and communicate through a corresponding communication interface of said gaming platform to thereby provide two-way wireless communications between said at least one wireless communication device and said gaming platform.

40. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing the gaming platform to allow or deny access to certain areas or features of the game based at least in part on said unique tag identification number or said stored information.

41. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing the gaming platform to generate and display an authenticating code to verify or authenticate one or more game-relevant events, whereby a game participant can use said authenticating code to validate or communicate said one or more game-relevant events to a different gaming platform by inputting the displayed authenticating code into a user interface thereof.

42. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for applying a key-based encryption algorithm to at least a portion of said information pertaining to said developed skills, abilities or attributes prior to storing said information.

43. A live-action immersive entertainment system for amusing or entertaining multiple game participants playing a game at least a portion of which is physically represented in a physical play environment and at least a portion of which is visually and aurally represented in a virtual play environment through computer animation, said entertainment system comprising:

a physical play environment comprising a themed play area, play structure, family entertainment center, theme park, or game center configured and adapted to produce one or more physical play effects, said physical play environment configured to support multiple game participants and themed in accordance with a particular game;

a virtual play environment comprising at least one gaming system configured and adapted to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with said particular game;

a plurality of wireless interactive toys comprising physical play objects or collectible items depicting or representing particular game characters or objects relevant to said particular game, each of said one or more interactive toys comprising an associated unique identification number, non-volatile programmable memory and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly communicating game-relevant information to said gaming platform, and wherein said game-relevant information includes at least said unique identification number;

at least one wireless receiver adapted to receive wireless input signals from one or more of said plurality of wireless interactive toys and to communicate said wireless input signals to said physical play environment and/or said virtual play environment; and

a master control system for actuating or controlling one or more physical play effects in said physical play environment and one or more computer-animated effects in said virtual play environment to provide an overall interactive game experience in which the game progress or performance of multiple game participants playing said particular game in both said physical play environment and said virtual play environment can be individually tracked according to the received wireless input signals, and wherein said master control system is configured to adjust the game experience for each said game participant in both said physical play environment and said virtual play environment based on said tracked game progress or performance.

44. The entertainment system of claim 43, wherein said at least one gaming system comprises multiple gaming systems provided in one or more physical play environments, and wherein a network connection is provided between said multiple gaming systems for communicating selected game-relevant data between said multiple gaming systems, and wherein said game-relevant data comprises at least game progress or performance information for up to hundreds of game participants playing said particular game substantially simultaneously.

45. The entertainment system of claim 43, wherein said wireless receiver and said wireless transmitter comprise medium range wireless communication devices configured and adapted to wirelessly and electronically exchange information over a communication medium selected from RF, infrared, laser, visual, audio, or ultrasonic.

46. The entertainment system of claim 43, wherein said master control system is further configured and adapted to adjust the play experience for a game participant by allowing or denying access to one or more play areas in said physical or virtual play environment based on said tracked game progress or performance.

47. The entertainment system of claim 43, further comprising an image capture system for automatically capturing one or more digital images of a game participant.

50. The entertainment system of claim 43, further comprising multiple physical and virtual play environments disposed in multiple distinct venues that are separated geographically from one another, and wherein said master control system is further configured to adjust the game experience for each said game participant in each of said multiple distinct venues based on said tracked game progress or performance in each of said multiple distinct venues.

51. The entertainment system of claim 50, wherein said master control system is further configured to use said tracked game progress or performance of a game participant in a first venue to determine a reward obtainable by said game participant in a second venue, whereby said game participant is encouraged to visit said second venue to obtain said reward.

52. The entertainment system of claim 51, wherein said multiple distinct venues comprise one or more of the following:

amusement park, arcade, family entertainment center, sports arena, retail store, restaurant, hotel, and movie theater.