INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

• US 20150094140A1
• Filed: 12/12/2014
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: Creative Kingdoms LLC (Great Wolf Resorts Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barney, Jonathan A., Weston, Denise Chapman
• Granted Patent: US 9,474,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• 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 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/497 Partially or entirely replaying previous game actions
• 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 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2402 Input by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2429 IC card, chip card, smart card
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2433 Voice-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2452 : as a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/248 : Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 : by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/485 : using a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 : using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 : involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 : comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 : the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 : Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 : Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 : Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 : Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 : Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/18 : Use of optical transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 : Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 : using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP

Abstract

A computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions for conducting a game on a gaming system having 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. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An interactive entertainment system for entertaining one or more participants as part of a magic themed entertainment experience, said interactive entertainment system comprising:

a toy wand configured to be held and operated by a participant to selectively actuate one or more entertainment effects provided within a themed entertainment facility, said toy wand comprising;

an elongated body configured to be held in a single hand of a participant and moved in free space; and

a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate to one or more wireless-compatible devices a first selection of information comprising a first unique identifier uniquely identifying said toy wand;

a plurality of interactive play areas provided within said themed entertainment facility, at least one of said interactive play areas comprising;

i) an interactive entertainment effect configured to be selectively actuated by said participant using said toy wand, and ii) a second RF transceiver configured to communicate to said first RF transceiver a second selection of information comprising said first unique identifier and a second unique identifier uniquely identifying said at least one interactive play area; and

a control system communicatively coupled to said second RF transceiver and said interactive entertainment effect, said control system configured to;

i) receive from said second RF transceiver said second selection of information, and ii) communicate to said interactive entertainment effect a third selection of information configured to cause said interactive entertainment effect to be actuated and wherein said third selection of information is based at least in part on stored information comprising progress or performance data of said participant in said magic themed entertainment experience.

22. The interactive entertainment system of claim 21 wherein said toy wand comprises an effects generator configured to display one or more light, sound or vibration effects based at least in part on a fourth selection of information received by said first RF transceiver.

23. The interactive entertainment system of claim 21, wherein said control system is configured to:

i) track the progress or performance of said participant based on said first unique identifier, and ii) adjust said magic themed entertainment experience for said participant based on said tracked progress or performance.

24. The interactive entertainment system of claim 23, wherein said plurality of interactive play areas are configured to carry out a game and wherein said tracked progress or performance comprises performance or progress of said participant in said game.

25. The interactive entertainment system of claim 21, wherein a second at least one of said plurality of interactive play areas comprises a personal computer or video game system.

26. The interactive entertainment system of claim 21, wherein said interactive entertainment effect comprises one or more computer-animated objects displayed in a computer-generated play environment.

27. The interactive entertainment system of claim 21, wherein said interactive entertainment effect comprises at least one digital camera focused on said at least one interactive play area, said at least one digital camera configured to capture one or more digital images of said participant when said participant is using said toy wand in said at least one interactive play area.

28. An interactive entertainment system for entertaining one or more participants as part of a themed entertainment experience, said interactive entertainment system comprising:

a wireless tracking device configured to be held or worn by a participant while visiting different locations within a themed entertainment facility, said wireless tracking device comprising a portable token configured to send and receive radio frequency (RF) signals to and from one or more wireless-compatible transceivers and wherein said wireless tracking device comprises a unique token identifier uniquely identifying said wireless tracking device;

a first play zone provided at a first location within said entertainment facility, comprising;

i) a first entertainment effect, and ii) a first RF transceiver configured to transmit to said portable token a first token activation signal when said portable token is within said first play zone and to receive from said portable token a first token response signal, and wherein said first token activation signal comprises a first unique zone identifier uniquely identifying said first play zone and wherein said first token response signal comprises said first unique zone identifier and said unique token identifier;

a second play zone provided at a second location within said entertainment facility, comprising;

i) a second entertainment effect, and ii) a second RF transceiver configured to transmit to said portable token a second token activation signal when said portable token is within said second play zone and to receive from said portable token a second token response signal, and wherein said second token activation signal comprises a second unique zone identifier uniquely identifying said second play zone and wherein said second token response signal comprises said second unique zone identifier and said unique token identifier; and

a control system communicatively coupled to said first and second RF transceivers and configured to cause said first and second entertainment effects to be actuated based at least in part on said first and second token response signals, respectively, and stored information comprising tracked progress or performance data of said participant in said themed entertainment experience.

29. The interactive entertainment system of claim 28, wherein said wireless tracking device comprises a toy wand configured to be held and operated by a participant to selectively actuate said first or second entertainment effects.

30. The interactive entertainment system of claim 29, wherein said toy wand comprises an effects generator configured to display one or more light, sound or vibration effects based at least in part on information received by said portable token.

31. The interactive entertainment system of claim 28, wherein said control system is configured to:

i) track the progress or performance of said participant based on said unique token identifier, and ii) adjust said themed entertainment experience for said participant based on said tracked progress or performance.

32. The interactive entertainment system of claim 28, wherein said first and second play zones are configured to carry out a game and wherein said tracked progress or performance data comprises performance or progress of said participant in said game.

33. The interactive entertainment system of claim 28, wherein at least one of said first or second entertainment effects comprises a computer-animated object displayed in a computer-generated play environment.

34. The interactive entertainment system of claim 28, wherein said first entertainment effect comprises a digital camera focused on said first play zone, said digital camera configured to capture one or more digital images of said participant when said first RF transceiver receives said first token response signal from said portable token.

35. The interactive entertainment system of claim 34, wherein said play zone comprises an area about 10-15 feet in diameter.

36. A method for amusing or entertaining one or more participants as part of an interactive game carried out within an entertainment facility, said method comprising:

providing at least one participant with a wireless tracking device configured to be held or worn by said participant while moving about said entertainment facility, said wireless tracking device comprising a portable token configured to send and receive radio frequency (RF) signals to and from one or more wireless-compatible devices and wherein said portable token comprises a token identifier uniquely identifying said wireless tracking device;

providing first and second RF transceivers at different locations within said entertainment facility and configuring said first and second RF transceivers to wirelessly communicate with said wireless tracking device over a limited communication range of 10-40 feet;

causing said first RF transceiver to transmit a first token activation signal to said portable token when said portable token is within a first token activation zone defined by a first communication range of said first RF transceiver, wherein said first token activation signal comprises a first zone identifier uniquely identifying said first token activation zone;

causing said portable token to transmit a first token response signal comprising said first zone identifier and said token identifier;

causing said second RF transceiver to transmit a second token activation signal to said portable token when said portable token is within a second token activation zone defined by a second communication range of said second RF transceiver, wherein said second token activation signal comprises a second zone identifier uniquely identifying said second token activation zone;

causing said portable token to transmit a second token response signal comprising said second zone identifier and said token identifier;

recording participant tracking information comprising selected information indicating completion by said participant of a first game objective associated with said first token activation zone and a second game objective associated with said second token activation zone; and

selectively actuating one or more entertainment effects based at least in part on said participant tracking information.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said wireless tracking device comprises a wireless wand actuator comprising an elongated body sized and configured to be held and operated by said participant to selectively actuate said one or more entertainment effects.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one of said one or more entertainment effects comprises a computer-animated object displayed in a computer-generated play environment.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising selectively triggering a digital camera configured to capture one or more digital images of said participant, and wherein triggering of said digital camera is based at least in part on receiving said first or second token response signal from said portable token.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein said first token activation zone comprises an area around said first RF transceiver having a diameter of about 10-15 feet.