SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLAYING AN INTERACTIVE GAME
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic “swipe” strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, the game can seamlessly transcend from one play environment and/or entertainment medium to the next.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A physical gaming item for accessing selected features or portions of a virtual game carried out on one or more compatible gaming platforms, said gaming item comprising:
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a wirelessly-powered radio frequency (RF) transceiver that provides two-way wireless communications with a wireless-compatible reader device associated with said one or more compatible gaming platforms over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm; non-volatile memory storing a selection of information uniquely associated with said gaming item; said selection of information comprising at least one item of encrypted information that can be decrypted or authenticated using an encryption algorithm and at least one encryption key, and wherein said encrypted information, when decrypted or authenticated, enables a game participant to access one or more optional features or portions of a computer-animated game played on said one or more compatible gaming platforms; and wherein said at least one encryption key is uniquely associated with said gaming item and is ascertainable from information stored in said non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A physical gaming item for enabling a game participant to securely access one or more selected portions or features of a virtual game played on a compatible gaming device, said gaming item comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:
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an antenna that is energized by an RFID reader associated with a computerized gaming device comprising a personal computer, home game console or portable gaming device; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna that provides short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a unique identification number; and
(ii) at least one access code that is encrypted using an encryption algorithm and at least one encryption key derived from said unique identification number; andwherein said at least one access code, when decrypted and communicated to said computerized gaming device, authorizes said game participant to access one or more selected portions or features of a computer-animated game played on said computerized gaming device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A physical gaming item for accessing a virtual game played on a compatible gaming device, said gaming item comprising:
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a portable body that can be selectively moved or positioned by a game participant; and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed within said portable body and comprising; an antenna that becomes energized whenever said gaming item is selectively positioned within communication range of an RFID reader associated with said compatible gaming device; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna that provides short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader, and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a unique identification number, (ii) game-relevant information comprising selected powers or abilities of a corresponding game character in a computer-animated game played by said game participant on said compatible gaming device, and (iii) at least one access code configured to enable said game participant to access one or more optional portions or features of said computer-animated game; andwherein said access code is encrypted using an encryption algorithm and at least one encryption key that is uniquely associated with said gaming item and ascertainable from information stored in said non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification