INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAME SYSTEM COMPRISING TOYS WITH REWRITABLE MEMORIES

• US 20150174479A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: West, Ray, Reiche, Paul, Leyland, Robert, Neil, Daniel, Corrigan, Kern
• Granted Patent: US 9,802,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to a video game system comprising a video game console and an object or toy used in connection with the video game console, wherein the object or toy has a rewritable data storage device, and wherein the video game console stores information in the rewritable data storage device in response to game play events occurring in a first gaming session. The stored information is subsequently retrieved by the video game console in a second gaming session, and the retrieved information is used to conduct the game play of the second gaming session.

Claims

1. A method useful in providing video game play using a game device, comprising:

loading information of a game character from a first toy into the game device through a peripheral;

providing gameplay in which the game character, controlled by a user using user inputs, encounters another game character;

determining the occurrence of a predefined game event involving the game character and the other character;

simulating transfer of the game character from the virtual world to the physical world in a sensory perceivable manner; and

storing information of the other game character in memory of a second toy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein simulating the transfer of the game character from the virtual world to the physical world comprises removing the game character from gameplay and outputting audio/visual information using the peripheral'"'"'s audio/visual devices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the peripheral'"'"'s audio/visual devices comprise a loudspeaker.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the peripheral'"'"'s audio/visual devices comprise an LED light.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein simulating the transfer of the game character from the virtual world to the physical world comprises removing the game character from gameplay and outputting audio/visual information using the second toy'"'"'s audio/visual devices.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second toy'"'"'s audio/visual devices comprise a loudspeaker.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second toy'"'"'s audio/visual devices comprise an LED light.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the second toy'"'"'s audio/visual devices comprise a display.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the other game character is an identification of the other game character.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the other game character includes info nation of characteristics of the other game character.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined game event is defeat of the other game character in a battle.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the other game character is a game character controlled by video game instructions of the video game.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the other game character is a game character controlled by another user using user inputs.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral includes a cavity for receiving a portion of the second toy.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein simulating the transfer of the game character from the virtual world to the physical world comprises removing the game character from gameplay while outputting audio/visual information using the peripheral'"'"'s or second toys audio/visual devices.

16. A system useful in providing videogame play, comprising:

a game device including at least one processor;

a toy including rewritable memory;

a peripheral device in communication with the game device, the peripheral device including circuitry for wirelessly commanding reads and writes to the rewritable memory of the toy;

the at least one processor configured by program instructions to;

provide gameplay in which a game character under control of user inputs to the game device encounters another game character;

detect a game play event indicating capture of the other game character;

command writing of information relating to the other game character to the memory of the toy; and

command presentation of a sensory perceptible simulated transfer of the other game character to the toy.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the peripheral includes a light source, and the processor is configured to command presentation of the sensory perceptible simulated transfer by commanding generation of light by the light source.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the toy includes at least some translucent portions illuminatable by the light from the light source.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the peripheral includes a cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the toy.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein translucent portions of the toy include at least some portions receivable by the cavity.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein translucent portions of the toy further include at least some portions not receivable by the cavity.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the peripheral includes a speaker, and the processor is configured to command presentation of the sensory perceptible simulated transfer by commanding generation of sound by the speaker.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the peripheral includes a speaker and a light source, and the processor is configured to command presentation of the sensory perceptible simulated transfer by commanding generation of sound by the speaker and light by the light source.

24. A peripheral device for use with a game device in providing videogame play, the peripheral device comprising:

a housing having a region for placement of some toys and a cavity for receiving a portion of other toys;

a first antenna for use in wirelessly communicating with toys on the flat top surface area;

a second antenna for use in wirelessly communicating with toys having a portion received by the cavity;

a speaker; and

at least one light source.

25. The peripheral device of claim 24, wherein the light source is positioned under the cavity.

26. The peripheral device of claim 24, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are electrically coupled.

27. The peripheral device of claim 24, wherein the region for placement of some toys is a spatially delineated region.

28. The peripheral device of claim 24, wherein the region for placement of some toys is in the shape of one of a ring, a hexagon, or pentagon.