INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAME WITH TOYS HAVING SPECIAL EFFECTS

• US 20130196766A1
• Filed: 01/26/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Leyland, Robert, Huang, I-Wei
• Granted Patent: US 9,827,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• 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 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• 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 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

A video game includes a component that senses the presence and identity of proximate toys. Each of the toys includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The toys further comprise audio, visual and other effects, wherein said effects are activated when the toy is proximate the gaming platform or a peripheral to the gaming platform. Effects may also be activated based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user'"'"'s gameplay experience.

Claims

1. A video game system, comprising:

a gaming platform;

a physical object including a light source;

a peripheral configured for communication with said physical object and said gaming platform;

wherein said light source in said physical object is configured to illuminate at least some times when proximate the peripheral.

2. A video game system of claim 1, wherein said light source is configured to illuminate when proximate the peripheral when said light source receives power inductively from said peripheral.

3. A video game system of claim 1, wherein said light source is configured to illuminate in response to signals received from said peripheral.

4. The video game system of claim 3 wherein the signals provide inductive power sufficient to energize said light source.

5. The video game system of claim 3 wherein the signals are indicative of a command for the light source to emit light.

6. The video game system of claim 3 wherein the signals are indicative of a game state of a video game conducted by the gaming platform.

7. The video game system of claim 6 wherein the game state is a state of a character in the video game associated with the physical object.

8. An object for use with a video game system, comprising:

a physical object comprising an electrical payload and memory storing information of a character in a video game;

said physical object configured to be in communication with a game platform operating said video game;

wherein activation and/or deactivation of said electrical payload is responsive to commands from said game platform; and

wherein said information of the character stored in said memory is modifiable based on operating of said video game.

9. The video game system of claim 8, wherein said electrical payload comprises a light source.

10. The video game system of claim 8, wherein said electrical payload comprises an audio source.

11. The video game system of claim 8, wherein said electrical payload comprises a motor.

12. The video game system of claim 8, wherein said electrical payload is configured to receive power inductively from said game platform.

13. The video game system of claim 8, wherein said electrical payload is configured to receive power inductively from a peripheral coupled to said game platform.

14. The video game system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the commands to activate and/or deactivate said electrical payload comprises information of the character to be stored in the memory.

15. The video game system of claim 8, wherein the physical object further includes circuitry for wirelessly receiving commands and circuitry for storing information of at least part of the commands in the memory.

16. The video game system of claim 15, wherein at least one command to which activation and/or deactivation of said electrical payload is responsive is a command of which at least part of which is to be stored in the memory.

17. A computer implemented method for use in providing a video game, comprising:

conducting a game play pattern by a computer operating said video game, the game play pattern depending at least in part on information stored in a toy in communication with the computer; and

controlling an electrical payload within the toy to produce an effect from said toy based on the game play pattern.

18. A computer implemented method of claim 17, wherein controlling the electrical payload within the toy comprises:

storing information in memory in said toy. with activation of said electrical payload within said toy based on said information.