Motion-sensitive wand controller for a game
First Claim
1. An interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects, said interactive gaming system comprising:
- at least one gaming console configured and adapted to produce said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with a particular selected game desired to be played by said one or more game participants, said at least one gaming console comprising a first wireless transceiver adapted to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more associated wireless devices;
one or more wireless motion-sensitive input devices sized and configured to be held and operated by each of said one or more game participants using a single hand to play said particular selected game at least in part by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device, each said one or more input devices comprising;
an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand to a distal end, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured so as to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device;
processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device;
motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a first user-directed input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element for sensing an acceleration force exerted on said input device and at least one sensor element for sensing rotation of said input device;
command circuitry comprising one or more finger-actuated switches configured and arranged relative to said elongated body so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand to thereby provide a second user-directed input signal responsive to said one or more finger actuations;
a second wireless transceiver adapted to provide two-way wireless communication with at least said first wireless transceiver, said second wireless transceiver being configured and adapted to;
i) transmit to said first transceiver a control signal based at least in part on said first and second user-directed input signals and said address identifier, and ii) receive from said first transceiver a return data signal containing information relevant to said particular selected game; and
at least one light-emitting module configured and adapted to produce a light signal or pattern capable of being detected by one or more external cameras or sensors;
at least one camera adapted to be provided in communicative association with said at least one gaming console, said at least one camera being further configured and adapted to capture one or more digital images containing said light signal or pattern and to communicate said one or more digital images to said at least one gaming console; and
wherein said at least one gaming console is further configured and adapted to process said one or more digital images by analyzing the position and/or movement of said light signal or pattern and to thereby activate, modify or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects based at least in part on said processed digital images.
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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, waiving 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.
1236 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects, said interactive gaming system comprising:
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at least one gaming console configured and adapted to produce said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with a particular selected game desired to be played by said one or more game participants, said at least one gaming console comprising a first wireless transceiver adapted to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more associated wireless devices; one or more wireless motion-sensitive input devices sized and configured to be held and operated by each of said one or more game participants using a single hand to play said particular selected game at least in part by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device, each said one or more input devices comprising; an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand to a distal end, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured so as to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device; processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a first user-directed input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element for sensing an acceleration force exerted on said input device and at least one sensor element for sensing rotation of said input device; command circuitry comprising one or more finger-actuated switches configured and arranged relative to said elongated body so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand to thereby provide a second user-directed input signal responsive to said one or more finger actuations; a second wireless transceiver adapted to provide two-way wireless communication with at least said first wireless transceiver, said second wireless transceiver being configured and adapted to;
i) transmit to said first transceiver a control signal based at least in part on said first and second user-directed input signals and said address identifier, and ii) receive from said first transceiver a return data signal containing information relevant to said particular selected game; andat least one light-emitting module configured and adapted to produce a light signal or pattern capable of being detected by one or more external cameras or sensors; at least one camera adapted to be provided in communicative association with said at least one gaming console, said at least one camera being further configured and adapted to capture one or more digital images containing said light signal or pattern and to communicate said one or more digital images to said at least one gaming console; and wherein said at least one gaming console is further configured and adapted to process said one or more digital images by analyzing the position and/or movement of said light signal or pattern and to thereby activate, modify or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects based at least in part on said processed digital images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. 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 and wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in a particular manner, said input device comprising:
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an elongated body sized and configured to be held by a game participant using a single hand, said elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end, adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand, to a distal end, and enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device; processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a first input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element for sensing an acceleration force exerted on said input device and at least one sensor element for sensing rotation of said input device relative to said axis of elongation; command circuitry comprising two or more finger-actuated switches configured and arranged relative to said elongated body so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand to selectively control at least two bits of input data comprising a second input signal while said game participant is simultaneously moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in said particular manner; an effects generator and associated control circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to enable said input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled to said processing circuitry for providing two-way wireless communication with said wireless-compatible game console, said wireless transceiver being configured and adapted to;
i) transmit to said game console a first control signal based at least in part on said first and second input signals and said address identifier, and ii) receive from said game console a second control signal for activating or controlling said at least one sound, lighting or vibration effect;whereby said input device can be operated by a game participant using a single hand to wirelessly activate or control at least two different computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device in a particular manner while selectively activating one, two or none of said two or more finger-actuated switches. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible gaming system in which an imaginary play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects and wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in a particular manner, said input device comprising:
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an elongated body sized and configured to be held by a game participant using a single hand, said elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end, adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand, to a distal end, and enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device; one or more auxiliary components configured and adapted to be detachably assembled with said elongated body for enabling said game participant to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, abilities or aesthetics; at least one light-emitting module configured and adapted to emit a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of being detected by an external camera, optical sensor or infrared sensor associated with said gaming system; processing circuitry disposed within said internal cavity comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a user-directed input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element electrically coupled to said microprocessor for sensing a transient acceleration force exerted on said input device, and wherein said microprocessor is further programmed and configured to measure a time duration from a first point in time when said sensed transient acceleration force exceeds a threshold amount to a second point in time when said sensed transient acceleration force does not exceed a threshold amount; a wireless transmitter electrically coupled to said microprocessor for transmitting to said gaming system a control signal based at least in part on said user-directed input signal, said measured time duration and said address identifier; whereby said input device can be operated by a game participant using only a single hand to selectively activate or control said computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device in a particular manner. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification