Interactive gaming objects

• US 8,027,508 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2009
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Perry, Burt W., Meyer, Joel R., Levy, Kenneth L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns; Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US12/534,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20100029380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/317, 348/143, 348/150, 348/157, 705/14.1, 705/14.12, 705/14.5, 463/16, 463/23, 463/25, 463/29
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A method for operating an electronic gaming system captures an image of a gaming object, extracts identifying information from the image of the gaming object, and uses the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information. The method returns data to the gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object. Various system configurations for this method as well as unique applications of it are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

capturing an image of a gaming object;

extracting identifying information from the image of the gaming object; and

using the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a machine behavior associated with the identifying information, and returning data to an electronic gaming system to execute or control the machine behavior of the electronic gaming system to control game play in response to the gaming object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the extracted identifying information is used to present promotional opportunities on a user interface of the electronic gaming system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine behavior comprises enabling a player to obtain monetary credits for products or services.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming object comprises a gaming token for gambling games.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming object comprises a playing object used in gambling games.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information comprises information identifying a gaming venue.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine behavior is personalized based on identity of a user of the electronic gaming system.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising checking the database by comparing image attributes of the gaming object with stored image attributes in a database.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the identifying information to authenticate the gaming object.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising using image attributes captured of the gaming objet to authenticate the gaming object.

11. A method comprising:

capturing an image of a gaming object;

extracting identifying information from the image of the gaming object; and

using the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information, and returning data to a gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object;

wherein the gaming object comprises a playing object used in promotional games.

12. A method comprising:

capturing an image of a gaming object;

extracting identifying information from the image of the gaming object;

using the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information, and returning data to the gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object; and

deriving gestural input using the gaming object.

13. A method comprising:

determining identifying information of a gaming object, the identifying information being conveyed in the gaming object and extractable through an image captured of the gaming object;

assigning a machine behavior to the gaming object to control game play of an electronic gaming system; and

storing the identifying information of the gaming object in association with the gaming object in a database system, wherein the database system is responsive to a request to provide the machine behavior in response to the identifying information to control the game play of the electronic gaming system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the extracted identifying information is used to present promotional opportunities on a user interface of the electronic gaming system.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the machine behavior comprises enabling a player to obtain monetary credits for products or services.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the gaming object comprises a gaming token for gambling games.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the gaming object comprises a playing object used in gambling games.

18. A method comprising:

determining identifying information of a gaming object, the identifying information being conveyed in the gaming object and extractable through an image captured of the gaming object;

assigning a behavior to the gaming object; and

storing the identifying information of the gaming object in association with the gaming object in a database system, wherein the database system is responsive to a request to provide the behavior in response to the identifying information;

wherein the gaming object comprises a playing object used in promotional games.

19. A system comprising:

an interface configured to receive an image captured of a gaming object;

a programmed processor configured to;

extract identifying information from the image of the gaming object; and

use the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a machine behavior associated with the identifying information, and returning data to execute or control the machine behavior of the electronic gaming system to control game play in response to the gaming object.

20. A system comprising:

an interface configured to receive an image of a gaming object;

a processor configured to;

determine identifying information conveyed by the gaming object, the identifying information being conveyed in the gaming object and extractable through an image captured of the gaming object;

assign a machine behavior to the gaming object to control game play of an electronic gaming system; and

a database system configured to store the identifying information of the gaming object in association with the gaming object, wherein the database system is responsive to a request to provide the machine behavior in response to the identifying information to control the game play of the electronic gaming system.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

capturing an image of a gaming object;

extracting identifying information from the image of the gaming object; and

using the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a machine behavior associated with the identifying information, and returning data to an electronic gaming system to execute or control the machine behavior of the electronic gaming system to control game play in response to the gaming object.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

determining identifying information of a gaming object, the identifying information being conveyed in the gaming object and extractable through an image captured of the gaming object;

assigning a machine behavior to the gaming object to control game play of an electronic gaming system; and

storing the identifying information of the gaming object in association with the gaming object in a database system, wherein the database system is responsive to a request to provide the machine behavior in response to the identifying information to control the game play of the electronic gaming system.