WIRELESS ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
37 Citations
21 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. A gaming system for playing a game carried out in both a virtual play environment via one or more computer animations and in a physical play environment via one or more physical toys, said gaming system comprising:
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at least one gaming toy comprising a portable body configured to be moved or positioned selectively by a game participant as part of said game, said portable body having an internal cavity storing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier and non-volatile programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information identifying or describing a corresponding virtual game character or object; an intermediary gaming device configured to be communicatively coupled to a compatible game console, said intermediary gaming device comprising;
(i) an RFID reader configured to wirelessly power and communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 60 centimeters, (ii) a communication interface configured to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller configured to activate one or more sound effects or lighting effects when said gaming toy is positioned within said limited communication range of said RFID reader; andnon-transitory storage storing game software configured to be executed by said game console, said game software comprising program instructions that, when executed, cause said intermediary gaming device to ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, and cause said game console to display in said virtual play environment one or more computer animations representing said corresponding virtual game character or object. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A gaming system for playing a game wherein a game participant uses one or more physical toys to interact with a virtual play environment displayed on a compatible game console, said gaming system comprising:
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at least one gaming toy configured to be moved or positioned selectively by said game participant as part of said game, said gaming toy having an internal cavity containing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier and non-volatile memory storing a first selection of information identifying or describing a corresponding virtual game character or object; an RFID reader configured to be communicatively coupled to said game console, said RFID reader comprising;
(i) a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 25 centimeters, (ii) a communication interface configured to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller configured to actuate or control one or more associated sound effects or lighting effects; andnon-transitory storage storing game software comprising program instructions that, when executed;
(i) cause said RFID reader to ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, (ii) cause said game console to display in said virtual play environment one or more computer animations depicting said corresponding virtual game character or object, and (iii) cause said effects controller to actuate or control said one or more associated sound effects or lighting effects in accordance with said game. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A gaming system for playing a game carried out in both a virtual play environment and a physical play environment, said gaming system comprising:
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at least one portable token configured to be moved or positioned by a game participant as part of said game, said portable token having an internal cavity containing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier and non-volatile programmable memory storing a first selection of information identifying a corresponding virtual game character or object; an RFID reader/writer unit configured to be communicatively coupled to a compatible game console, said RFID reader/writer unit comprising;
(i) a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 60 centimeters, (ii) a communication interface configured to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller configured to activate one or more sound effects or lighting effects; andnon-transitory storage storing game software configured to be executed by said game console, said game software comprising program instructions that, when executed;
(i) cause said RFID reader/writer unit to ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, (ii) cause said game console to display in said virtual play environment one or more computer animations depicting said corresponding virtual game character or object, and (iii) cause said effects controller to activate said one or more sound effects or lighting effects in accordance with said game. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification