Interactive Module

• US 20150273321A1
• Filed: 04/01/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: E-Squared Labs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E-Squared Labs Incorporated
• Inventors: Schwartz, Eric P., Abrahams, Eric N.
• Application Number:
  US14/242,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20150273321A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• 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 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883

Abstract

An interactive module is configured to determine that another interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module and then to engage in communications that relate a game or activity. Utilizing position identification circuitry and/or acceleration determination circuitry, the module identifies a defined active motion based upon data generated by at least one of the position determination circuitry and the acceleration circuitry. The module then, based on the determined proximity and the identified active motion, stores an indication of an event and exchanges data based upon identifying the defined active motion directly with the second interactive module. The indication of the event can be, for example, either a counter value or a score. In one embodiment, the record keeping is based in part, upon the activity of the module and also in part by an identity of the proximate interactive module.

Claims

1. A method for a first interactive module, comprising:

determining that a second interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module;

identifying a defined motion based upon data generated data produced by at least one of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) and a magnetometer;

establishing a communication link with the second interactive module using one of a personal area network protocol or a near field communication protocol;

based on the determined proximity and the identified active motion, storing an indication of an event; and

exchanging data based upon identifying the defined active motion directly with the second interactive module.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining that the second interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module includes at least one of:

electronically detecting the second interactive module; and

receiving location information and evaluating the location information in relation to a known location of the first interactive module.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

based upon determining the second interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module, and based upon identifying the defined active motion by comparing the data corresponding to a motion or action to a library of defined moves, determining to enter into a specified game or activity mode.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying the defined active motion based upon data generated by at least one of position determination circuitry and acceleration circuitry.

5. The method of claim 6 wherein the library of movements in relation to established rules creates a language of commands, data exchanges, and responses between the first and second interactive modules.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a radio frequency signal from a remote device that is not an interactive module to enter into a specified game or activity mode.

7. The method of claim 6 further including receiving at least one of:

game data;

activity data of other interactive modules; and

rules for a game.

8. The method of claim 6 further including pushing data to the remote device that relates to the specified game or activity.

9. An interactive module, comprising:

at least one of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) for detection position and motion, and magnetometer;

an action defining module;

a defined action recognition module;

a game/activity defining module;

communication circuitry; and

wherein the interactive module is configured to;

generate or receive game/activity rules or motions;

recognize specific motions in relation to a stored game/activity rules or motions and to maintain a record of the specific motions in relation to the stored game/activity rules; and

exchange game/activity related data communications with a second interactive module; and

communicate game/activity related data and rules with one of a second interactive module, an activity server or base unit.

10. The interactive module of claim 9 configured for determining that a second interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module.

11. The interactive module of claim 10 configured for utilizing at least one of the IMU, AHRS and the magnetometer to identify a defined active motion based upon data generated by at least one of IMU and AHRS and the magnetometer.

12. The interactive module of claim 10 configured for:

establishing a communication link with the second interactive module using one of a personal area network protocol, a WLAN communication protocol or a near field communication protocol;

based on the determined proximity and the identified active motion, storing an indication of an event; and

exchanging data with the second interactive module.

13. The interactive module of claim 10 configured for at least one of:

receiving a radio frequency signal from a remote device that is not an interactive module to enter into a specified game or activity mode; and

based upon determining the second interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module, and based upon identifying the active motion, determining to enter into a specified game or activity mode.

14. The interactive module of claim 10 configured for identifying the defined active motion based upon data generated by at least one of the IMU or AHRS further includes comparing the data to a library of defined moves.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the library of movements in relation to established rules creates a language of commands, data exchanges, and responses between the first and second interactive modules.

16. A method for a first interactive module, comprising:

receiving proximity data identifying that a second interactive module is proximate to the interactive module;

receiving motion data identifying that a defined motion has occurred;

identifying whether the motion data identifies a defined motion within a certain tolerance;

evaluating game/activity rules based on the defined motion;

based on the game/activity rules, the proximity data and the motion data, determining to record an event; and

maintaining a cumulative total of recorded events.

17. The method of claim 16 further including receiving and evaluating GPS data as a part of determining to record the event.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the game/activity rules are for one of the following games/activities:

brushing teeth;

exercising;

shaking hands;

hugging; and

dancing.

19. The method of claim 16 further including receiving location data identifying that the second interactive module is proximate to the first interactive module.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the type of event recorded is based upon an ID of the second interactive module.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein a plurality of interactive modules including the first and second interactive modules are arranged to communicate via a mesh networking protocol and further including exchanging game/activity data utilizing mesh network communication protocols.

22. The method of claim 21 further including:

receiving game/activity data from the second interactive module; and

transmitting the received game/activity data to a third interactive module that is not in communication with the second interactive module.