INTERACTIVE ACTION FIGURES FOR GAMING SYSTEMS

• US 20140106874A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ganz
• Original Assignee: Ganz
• Inventors: Borge, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,427,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/493 Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• 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 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• 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 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5526 Game data structure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/554 by saving game or status data
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 : involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 : for computing the condition of a game character
• 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 2300/8029 : Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 13/02 : imitating natural actions, e.g. catching a mouse by a cat, the kicking of an animal

Abstract

An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the interne and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character'"'"'s traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.

Claims

1-395. -395. (canceled)

396. A method for providing a computer activity to a user, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first product in response to a primary access code being entered on a computer, the primary access code being associated with the first product;

responsive to registering the first product, creating an identity for a character for use in the computer activity;

further responsive to registering the first product, providing content for displaying a visual representation of the character in the computer activity, the visual representation of the character corresponding to the first product;

registering a second product on the computer in response to a secondary access code being entered on a computer, the secondary access code being associated with the second product; and

responsive to registering the second product, providing an enhancement that is stored in association with the identity of the character for future use in the computer activity without requiring the secondary access code to be entered again.

397. A method for providing a computer activity to a user, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first-product on a computer, said registering including accepting information input into the computer by the user;

responsive to registering the first product, providing an item for display in said computer activity, said item visually corresponding to said first product;

registering tangible product on said computer; and

responsive to registering the second product, enhancing said item in said computer activity.

398. The method of claim 397, wherein said item possesses one or more traits in said computer activity, and wherein said enhancing includes modifying at least one of said traits in said computer activity.

399. The method of claim 397, wherein said first product is one of an action figure, a doll, or a stuffed animal, and wherein said item is an animated character in said computer activity.

400. The method of claim 397, wherein said information includes a first access code provided with said first product.

401. The method of claim 400, wherein said registering the second product includes the step of accepting a second access code manually input into the computer by the user.

402. The method of claim 400, wherein the first access code is a human readable code that was initially hidden from the user.

403. The method of claim 397, wherein said first and second are each a tangible product, and said information accepted is manually input by the user into the computer.

404. The method of claim 397, wherein said information accepted comprises a human readable code manually input by the user into the computer.

405. A method for providing a computer activity, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a tangible product with a unique first access code;

providing an accessory with a unique second access code, wherein said accessory is an accessory to said tangible product;

registering said tangible product on a server connected to a network using said first access code;

responsive to registering said tangible product, providing an image in said computer activity, said image substantially resembling said tangible product, wherein said image is provided such that it can be animated in said computer activity based on a command received by said server;

registering the accessory on said server using said second access code; and

responsive to registering the accessory, modifying a characteristic of said image in said computer activity.

406. A method for providing a computer activity on a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

registering a first product on a computer, wherein the first product belongs to a first class of products;

responsive to registering the first product, providing a first item in said computer activity;

registering a second product on said computer, wherein the second product belongs to a second class of products different than the first class of products; and

responsive to registering the second product, enhancing said first item in said computer activity.

407. The method of claim 406, wherein said enhancing includes modifying a trait of said first item in said computer activity.

408. The method of claim 406, wherein said first product is one of an action figure, a doll, or a toy animal, and wherein said second product is an accessory to said first product that is other than any of said action figure, doll, or toy animal.

409. The method of claim 406, wherein said enhancement includes extending use of said item in said computer activity after use of said first item has expired.

410. The method of claim 406, wherein said first class is a class comprised of action figures, and where said second class is a class comprised of accessories to said action figures.

411. The method of claim 410, wherein said second class is a class of weapons for accessorizing said action figures.