MOTION-SENSITIVE CONTROLLER AND ASSOCIATED GAMING APPLICATIONS
First Claim
1. A motion-sensitive input device configured to be used with a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home gaming console, said motion-sensitive input device comprising:
- a base component sized and configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user to play or direct a game at least in part by moving an elongated body of said base component in free space, said elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be grasped by a single hand of a user to a second end protruding from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to receive or contain one or more internal power sources and circuitry configured to power and operate said base component;
at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly assembled with said base component to enable a user to selectively create a modified input device having different or additional functional capabilities;
a first arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor output data responsive to at least a first sensed motion of said motion-sensitive input device;
a second arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor output data responsive to at least a second sensed motion of said motion-sensitive input device, wherein said second sensed motion is different than said first sensed motion; and
electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising;
i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier and said sensor output data, and iv) a wireless receiver configured to receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. One or more optional auxiliary components modularly attach to the input device to selectively create a modified input device having different desired functions or aesthetics.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. A motion-sensitive input device configured to be used with a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home gaming console, said motion-sensitive input device comprising:
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a base component sized and configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user to play or direct a game at least in part by moving an elongated body of said base component in free space, said elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be grasped by a single hand of a user to a second end protruding from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to receive or contain one or more internal power sources and circuitry configured to power and operate said base component; at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly assembled with said base component to enable a user to selectively create a modified input device having different or additional functional capabilities; a first arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor output data responsive to at least a first sensed motion of said motion-sensitive input device; a second arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor output data responsive to at least a second sensed motion of said motion-sensitive input device, wherein said second sensed motion is different than said first sensed motion; and electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising;
i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier and said sensor output data, and iv) a wireless receiver configured to receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A wireless wand input device configured to be used with a wireless-compatible gaming console, said wand input device comprising:
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a housing sized and configured to be held and operated by a user using a single hand to play or direct a game at least in part by moving the entire body of said housing in free space, said housing comprising an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end protruding from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to receive or contain one or more internal power sources and circuitry configured to power and operate said wand input device; a first arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a first sensed motion of said wand input device; a second arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a second sensed motion of said wand input device, wherein said second sensed motion is different than said first sensed motion; at least two finger-actuated switches sized and arranged so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of a user'"'"'s single hand while simultaneously holding and moving the entire body of said housing in free space using said single hand, said at least two finger-actuated switches being configured to generate switch state data responsive to selective actuation thereof; and electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data to and from a wireless-compatible gaming console, said electronic circuitry comprising;
i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming console one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said sensor state data and said switch state data, and iv) a wireless receiver configured to receive from said wireless-compatible gaming console one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An interactive game wherein a game participant uses a motion-sensitive wireless wand input device to direct or control one or more computer animations to produce a desired illusion or effect, said interactive game comprising:
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a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home game console configured to generate one or more computer animations in accordance with said game; at least one motion-sensitive wireless wand input device configured to be held and operated by a user using a single hand to play or direct a game at least in part by moving the entire body of said wand input device, said wand input device comprising; an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end protruding from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith; one or more sensors configured to provide sensor state data responsive to one or more sensed motions or orientations of said wand input device in free space; one or more finger-actuated switches sized and arranged so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of a user'"'"'s single hand while simultaneously holding and moving the entire body of said wand input device, said one or more finger-actuated switches configured to provide switch state data; and electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data to and from said wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising;
i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals communicating at least said unique identifier, said sensor state data and said switch state data, and iv) a wireless receiver configured to receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information; andgame software stored in non-transitory storage comprising executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to carry out a game wherein one or more computer animations are produced that create an illusion or effect based at least in part on said sensor state data and said switch state data. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. An interactive game wherein a game participant uses a motion-sensitive wireless wand input device to direct or control one or more computer animations to produce a desired illusion or effect, said interactive game comprising:
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a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home game console configured to generate one or more computer animations in accordance with said game; at least one motion-sensitive wireless wand input device configured to be held and operated by a user using a single hand to play or direct a game at least in part by moving the entire body of said wand input device, said wand input device comprising; an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be held or gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end extending from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith; a first arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a first sensed motion of said wand input device; a second arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a second sensed motion of said wand input device, wherein said second sensed motion is different than said first sensed motion; and electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data to said wireless-compatible gaming platform over a range of at least 10 feet, said electronic circuitry comprising;
i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, and iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals communicating at least said unique identifier and said sensor state data;at least one physical play object comprising object data stored or recorded thereon and configured such that said object data can be wirelessly read or ascertained by said wireless-compatible gaming platform over a range of at least 1 cm; and game software stored in non-transitory storage comprising executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to carry out a game wherein one or more computer animations are produced based at least in part on said sensor state data and said object data. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification