Dual-range wireless controller
First Claim
1. A portable entertainment device for wirelessly interacting with one or more compatibly-configured wireless devices, said portable entertainment device comprising:
- a body sized and configured to accommodate one or more energy storage devices and associated circuitry configured to power and operate said portable entertainment device;
a microprocessor;
non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and configured to store at least one unique identifier uniquely identifying said portable entertainment device;
an inductance coil sized and arranged to generate an induced electrical current when exposed to a fluctuating magnetic field;
a first wireless transceiver configured to provide short-range two-way wireless radio frequency (RF) communication with a wireless-compatible device over a first wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range wireless RF communication is facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling; and
a second wireless transceiver configured to provide medium-range two-way wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device over a second wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet;
wherein said first and second wireless transceivers are configured such that, when a user causes said body of said portable entertainment device to come within said first wireless communication range of a compatibly-configured wireless device, said first wireless transceiver wirelessly communicates selected information with said compatibly-configured wireless device, causing or enabling said compatibly-configured wireless device to produce one or more effects in accordance with one or more medium-range wireless communications provided by said second wireless transceiver.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant'"'"'s experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.
1329 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A portable entertainment device for wirelessly interacting with one or more compatibly-configured wireless devices, said portable entertainment device comprising:
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a body sized and configured to accommodate one or more energy storage devices and associated circuitry configured to power and operate said portable entertainment device; a microprocessor; non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and configured to store at least one unique identifier uniquely identifying said portable entertainment device; an inductance coil sized and arranged to generate an induced electrical current when exposed to a fluctuating magnetic field; a first wireless transceiver configured to provide short-range two-way wireless radio frequency (RF) communication with a wireless-compatible device over a first wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range wireless RF communication is facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling; and a second wireless transceiver configured to provide medium-range two-way wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device over a second wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet; wherein said first and second wireless transceivers are configured such that, when a user causes said body of said portable entertainment device to come within said first wireless communication range of a compatibly-configured wireless device, said first wireless transceiver wirelessly communicates selected information with said compatibly-configured wireless device, causing or enabling said compatibly-configured wireless device to produce one or more effects in accordance with one or more medium-range wireless communications provided by said second wireless transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A dual-range wireless entertainment device for enabling a user to wirelessly interact with a compatibly-configured wireless device at least in part by selectively causing said dual-range wireless entertainment device to touch or come within close proximity of said compatibly-configured wireless device, said dual-range wireless entertainment device comprising:
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a portable housing having an internal cavity sized and configured to receive one or more batteries and associated circuitry configured to power and operate said dual-range wireless entertainment device, said housing sized and configured to be held manipulated by a user and moved freely in the air and transported from one location to another location; a user interface comprising one or more of a motion sensor or a position sensor configured to receive one or more human inputs based on a sensed motion or a sensed position of said portable housing as it is moved in the air by said user; a conductive coil sized and arranged to generate an induced current when exposed to an externally-generated electromagnetic field; a first wireless transceiver electrically coupled to said conductive coil and configured to provide close-range wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm, and wherein said close-range wireless communication comprises a first selection of information; and a second wireless transceiver configured to provide medium-range wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device over a wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet, and wherein said medium-range wireless communication comprises a second selection of information that is different than said first selection of information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 35)
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20. A portable electronic device for wirelessly interacting with a compatibly-configured wireless entertainment device, said portable electronic device comprising:
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a body configured to hold one or more energy storage devices and associated circuitry configured to power and operate said portable electronic device; a microprocessor; non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and having stored therein at least one identifier uniquely identifying said portable electronic device; at least one antenna configured to generate an electrical current when exposed to an externally-generated electromagnetic field, and to generate an electromagnetic field when driven by an internally-generated electrical current; a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said at least one antenna and configured to provide first two-way wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device over a first wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said first two-way wireless communication is facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said at least one antenna and said wireless-compatible device; and a second RF transceiver configured to provide second two-way wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device over a second wireless communication range of greater than 60 cm; said portable electronic device configured such that when a user selectively causes said portable electronic device to come within said first wireless communication range of said compatibly-configured wireless entertainment device, said first RF transceiver wirelessly communicates selected information with said wireless entertainment device, thereby causing or enabling said wireless entertainment device to produce one or more effects. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 36, 37)
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28. A dual-range wireless entertainment system for selectively displaying at least one of a sound, a video or a computer animation output in accordance with one or more wireless signal inputs received from a compatibly-configured input device, said dual-range wireless entertainment system comprising:
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a display device configured to display said at least one or more sound, video or computer animation output; a control module configured to electronically interface with said display device and to selectively cause said display device to display said at least one sound, video or computer animation output; a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide short-range wireless communication with said compatibly-configured input device over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm, and wherein said short-range wireless communication is facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling, and wherein said short-range wireless communication comprises a first selection of information; and a second RF transceiver configured to provide medium-range wireless communication with said compatibly-configured input device over a wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet, and wherein said medium-range wireless communication comprises a second selection of information configured to instruct or cause said display device to display said at least one sound, video or computer animation output in accordance with said second selection of information. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 38)
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Specification