Multi-platform gaming system using RFID-tagged toys

• US 8,702,515 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2012
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Inventors: Weston, Denise Chapman, Barney, Jonathan A
• Primary Examiner(s): Brandenburg, William A
• Application Number:
  US13/440,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20120190452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• 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: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00145 Board games concerning treasure-hunting, fishing, hunting capturing fishing games A63F9/305
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/009 : Toy swords or similar toy weapons; Toy shields
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A multi-platform gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game on a gaming platform is described. The multi-platform gaming system can include collectible toys depicting or representing one or more game characters or objects relevant to a game adapted to be played on the gaming platform. The collectible toys can have associated therewith an RFID tag including a corresponding unique tag identification number. The RFID tag can include an antenna, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and non-volatile programmable memory for storing game-relevant information describing skills, abilities or attributes associated with one of said game characters or objects.

Claims

1. A multi-platform gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game on a gaming platform comprising one or more video game consoles, home game consoles, hand-held game units, computer gaming devices, internet gaming devices or live-action gaming facilities, said gaming system comprising:

a plurality of collectible toys depicting or representing one or more game characters or objects relevant to a game adapted to be played on said gaming platform, each of said plurality of collectible toys comprising;

an RFID tag comprising;

a corresponding unique tag identification number

at least one antenna;

integrated circuitry comprising instructions to wirelessly transmit and receive information to and from an associated RFID tag reader; and

non-volatile memory storing game-relevant information including at least one of skills, abilities or attributes associated with one of said game characters or objects, wherein at least a portion of said game-relevant information is encrypted;

wherein game participants develop said skills, abilities or attributes of a particular game character or object represented by said game-relevant information stored on one or more collectable toys of said plurality of collectible toys while playing a first game or first game session on said gaming platform and subsequently use said one or more collectible toys to wirelessly communicate said game-relevant information to the same or a different gaming platform and play a second game or second game session using said particualar game character or object with some or all of said developed skills, abilities or attributes;

a reader device comprising;

an RFID tag reader comprising;

instructions to wirelessly power and communicate with each said RFID tag when a corresponding one of said plurality of collectible toys is presented within a readable range of said reader device, thereby enabling the reader device to wirelessly transmit and receive information to and from said corresponding one of said plurality of collectible toys; and

instructions to communicate with said gaming platform such that said game-relevant information is communicated to and from each said presented collectible toy and said gaming platform, wherein said communicated information includes at least said unique tag identification number; and

a non-transitory medium storing game instructions to be executed by said gaming platform to carry out said game, said game instructions comprising;

program instructions to instruct said gaming platform to conduct an interactive character-based game in which said one or more game characters are visually and aurally represented by computer animation,

wherein said one or more game participants advance in the game at least in part by finding clues, solving puzzles or completing challenges presented by said game; and

wherein said one or more game participants develop through game play progression skills, abilities or attributes associated with said one or more game characters or objects;

program instructions to cause said gaming platform to communicate selected character or object information pertaining to said developed skills, abilities or attributes to said reader device;

program instructions to cause said reader device to store corresponding character or object information or other game-relevant information in the memory of a corresponding collectible toy; and

program instructions comprising an encryption algorithm to encrypt at least some portion of said game-relevant information prior to said reader device storing said game-relevant information in the memory of said corresponding collectible toy.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of collectible toys has an associated printed code that identifies or authenticates said collectible toy and wherein said code is printed on a corresponding ticket or sticker associated with each said corresponding collectible toy as part of a single combined packaged item.

3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said codes comprises an encrypted alpha-numeric code that is derived at least in part from a corresponding unique tag identification number.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises a passive RFID tag transponder comprising an integral RF transmitter/receiver circuit and a flat spiral wound antenna, said RFID tag transponder hermetically sealed within said at least one collectible toy.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said unique tag identification number is stored in said memory and can be selectively changed or updated.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said integrated circuitry further comprises:

instructions to further store on said memory information uniquely identifying at least one of said one or more game participants;

instructions to communicate said stored identifying information to said gaming platform, wherein said gaming platform uses said communicated identifying information for purposes of scoring or creating an experience record for said at least one of said game participants.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises a token, trinket, wand, ball, stuffed animal, toy vehicle, or figurine, and wherein said RFID tag is sealed within said at least one collectible toy.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises a display screen for displaying selected game-relevant information.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys comprises instructions stored on the integrated circuitry to cause said at least one collectible toy to respond to light, sound, or voice commands.

10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of collectible toys embodies a packaged product comprising a toy having both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment.

11. The gaming system of claim 10, said toy physically depicting or representing a game character or object from a character-based game played on said gaming platform, wherein said game characters or objects are visually or aurally represented by computer animation, said toy comprising:

a physical play object or collectible item;

an RFID tag embedded within or affixed to said toy, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identification number, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and memory, said circuitry comprising instructions to selectively store certain game-relevant information pertaining to said game character or object on said memory;

selected game-relevant information stored in said memory pertaining to said game character or object; and

a printed code that identifies or authenticates said game character or object, wherein said unique tag identification number or said printed code unlocks access to at least some portion or features of a relevant game.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said-reader device further comprises instructions to cause an RF transceiver to provide two-way wireless communications with a corresponding RF transceiver associated with said gaming platform.

13. The gaming system of claim 12, further comprising an RF transceiver module comprising an integral antenna, a communication interface, a processor, and instructions, said instructions stored on said processor, said instructions causing said RF transceiver module to interface with and communicate through a corresponding communication interface of said gaming platform to thereby provide two-way wireless communications between said reader device and said gaming platform.

14. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said game instructions further comprise program instructions that cause said gaming platform to allow or deny access to certain areas or features of the game based at least in part on said unique tag identification number or said stored information.

15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said game instructions further comprise program instructions to cause said gaming platform to generate and display an authenticating code to verify or authenticate one or more game-relevant events, and wherein a game participant inputting said displayed authenticating code into a user interface validates or communicates said one or more game-relevant events to a different gaming platform.

16. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising web-based game software stored on a non-transitory, said web-based game software comprising program instructions to cause a computer web-based game interface to register one or more of said plurality of collectible toys when a game participant inputs a corresponding printed code, authenticate said code and, if the code is determined to be authentic, and provide one or more web-based games carried out using the same game character or object as depicted or represented by each said corresponding registered collectible toy.

17. A packaged product comprising an RFID-tagged toy having both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment, said packaged product comprising:

a toy physically depicting or representing a particular game character or object from a character-based game played out on a gaming platform comprising one or more video game consoles, home game consoles, hand-held game units, computer gaming devices, internet gaming devices or live-action gaming facilities, wherein one or more game characters or objects are virtually represented in said game by computer animation, said toy comprising;

a physical body comprising a play object or collectible item;

an RFID tag embedded within or affixed to said physical body, said RFID tag comprising;

a unique tag identification number;

at least one antenna;

integrated circuitry comprising instructions to wirelessly transmit and receive information to and from an associated RFID tag reader; and

memory storing game-relevant information pertaining to said particular game character or object, including one or more relevant attributes, objectives accomplished, points earned or levels achieved;

wherein at least a portion of said game-relevant information stored in said memory is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm; and

a printed code, wherein said printed code identifies or authenticates said particular game character or object within said game and unlocks at least some portion or features of said game.

18. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein said printed code is provided on a ticket or sticker associated with the toy as part of the packaged product.

19. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein said printed code is encrypted using an encryption algorithm based at least in part on said unique tag identification number, and wherein said unique tag identification number is validated or determined by reversing said encryption algorithm.

20. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein said RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag transponder comprising an integral RF transmitter and receiver circuit and a flat spiral wound antenna, and wherein said RFID tag transponder is sealed within said toy.

21. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein said memory comprises:

instructions to cause said memory to store information uniquely identifying a purchaser or user of said packaged product; and

instructions to cause said stored identifying information to be communicated to said gaming platform and used for purposes of scoring or creating an experience record for said purchaser or user.

22. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein said memory-further comprises instructions causing said memory to store information identifying one or more games, gaming platforms, play environments or locations where said toy has been used.

23. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein said toy comprises a token, trinket, wand, ball, stuffed animal, toy vehicle, or figurine, and wherein said RFID tag transponder is sealed within said toy.

24. The packaged product of claim 17, further comprising a reader device comprising:

an RFID tag reader comprising;

instructions to cause said reader device to wirelessly power and communicate with said RFID tag when said toy is presented within a readable range of said reader device; and

instructions to cause said reader device to further communicate with said gaming platform such that game-relevant information is communicated to and from said toy and said gaming platform including communication of at least said unique tag identification number.

25. The packaged product of claim 24, further comprising an RF transceiver module comprising an integral antenna, a communication interface, a processor programmed to cause said RF transceiver module to interface with and communicate through a corresponding communication interface of said gaming platform to thereby provide two-way wireless communications between said reader device and said gaming platform.

26. The packaged product of claim 24, further comprising game software comprising instructions executed by said gaming platform to carry out said game, said game software including program instructions to cause said gaming platform to conduct an interactive character-based game in which said particular game character or object is visually or aurally represented by computer animation, and wherein advancement in the game is based at least in part on finding clues, solving puzzles or completing challenges presented by the game, and wherein a game participant further develops through game play progression skills, abilities or attributes associated with said particular game character or object, said game software further including program instructions to cause said gaming platform to communicate selected character or object information describing or verifying said developed skills, abilities or attributes to said reader device and for further causing said reader device to store corresponding character or object information in the memory of said toy.

27. The packaged product and combination of claim 26, wherein said game software includes further program instructions to cause said gaming platform to generate and display an authenticating code to verify or authenticate one or more game-relevant events, wherein said authenticating code is used by said game participant to communicate said one or more game-relevant events to a different gaming platform by entering the displayed authenticating code into a user interface thereof.

28. The packaged product of claim 17, in combination with game software executed by a web server to provide computer web-based game play, said game software providing program instructions to operate a computer web-based game interface enabling a purchaser or user of said packaged product to register said toy by inputting said printed code, authenticating said printed code and using said authentication to access one or more web-based games carried out using the same game character or object depicted or represented by said toy.

29. An immersive interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game wherein one or more game characters or objects in said game have both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment, said gaming system comprising:

a gaming platform comprising a video game console, home game console, hand-held game unit, computer gaming device, internet gaming device or live-action gaming facility;

one or more wireless interactive toys comprising physical play objects or collectible items depicting or representing said game characters or objects relevant to said game, wherein said one or more game characters are visually and/or aurally represented through computer animation in said game, each of said one or more interactive toys comprising;

an associated unique identification number;

non-volatile memory storing game-relevant information including at least said unique identification number; and

internal circuitry comprising instructions to wirelessly communicate said game-relevant information to said gaming platform;

at least one wireless communication device comprising;

instructions to automatically initiate and provide two-way wireless communication with said one or more wireless interactive toys when each said toy is presented within a communication range of said wireless communication device;

instructions to provide two-way communication with said gaming platform such that said game-relevant information can be communicated to and from each said presented toy and said gaming platform; and

game software stored on a non-transitory medium comprising game instructions to be executed by said gaming platform to carry out said game, said game instructions comprising;

program instructions to cause the gaming platform to conduct said game and wherein said one or more game participants advance in the game at least in part by finding clues, solving puzzles or completing challenges presented by the game and wherein said one or more game participants, through playing the game, develop certain skills, abilities or attributes associated with said one or more game characters or objects; and

program instructions to store certain information pertaining to said developed skills, abilities or attributes in the memory of each said corresponding wireless interactive toy, whereby said game participants playing a first game or game session develop skills, abilities or attributes of a particular game character or object corresponding to a particular wireless interactive toy and wherein said particular toy remembers some or all of said developed skills, abilities or attributes in a subsequent game or game session using said particular toy.

30. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein each of said one or more wireless interactive toys has an associated printed code that identifies or authenticates said interactive toy, and wherein said code is printed on a corresponding ticket or sticker associated with each said corresponding interactive toy as part of a single combined packaged item.

31. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises a passive RFID tag transponder comprising an integral RF transmitter and receiver circuit and a flat spiral wound antenna, said RFID tag transponder hermetically sealed within said at least one interactive toy.

32. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises integrated circuitry further comprising:

instructions to store on said memory information uniquely identifying at least one of said one or more game participants; and

instructions to communicate said stored identifying information to said gaming platform, wherein said gaming platform uses said identifying information for purposes of scoring or creating an experience record for said at least one game participant.

33. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises a display screen for displaying selected game-relevant information.

34. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein at least one of said one or more wireless interactive toys comprises a packaged product comprising an RFID-tagged toy having both a physical manifestation in a physical play environment and a virtual manifestation in a virtual play environment, said packaged product comprising:

a toy physically depicting or representing said particular game character or object from said game;

an RFID tag embedded within or affixed to said toy, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identification number, integrated circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from an associated RFID tag reader, and memory, said circuitry comprising instructions to selectively store game-relevant information pertaining to said particular game character or object on said memory;

selected game-relevant information stored in said memory pertaining to said particular game character or object; and

a printed code that identifies or authenticates said particular character or object within said game, wherein said unique tag identification number or said printed code unlocks at least some portion or features of said game.

35. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein said at least one wireless communication device further comprises a short-range RF transceiver and a medium-range RF transceiver, wherein said wireless communication device further comprises instructions to cause (i) the short-range RF transceiver to wirelessly communicate with said one or more wireless interactive toys and (ii) the medium-range RF transceiver to wirelessly communicate with a corresponding RF transceiver associated with said gaming platform.

36. The gaming system of claim 35, further comprising an RF transceiver module comprising an integral antenna and a communication interface, said RF transceiver module configured to interface with and communicate through a corresponding communication interface of said gaming platform to thereby provide two-way wireless communications between said at least one wireless communication device and said gaming platform.

37. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein said game software includes further program instructions for causing the gaming platform to allow or deny access to certain areas or features of the game based at least in part on said unique tag identification number or said stored information.

38. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein said game software includes further program instructions to cause the gaming platform to generate and display an authenticating code to verify or authenticate one or more game-relevant events, whereby said authenticating code validates or communicates said one or more game-relevant events to a different gaming platform when said one or more game participants inputs the displayed authenticating code into a user interface thereof.

39. The gaming system of claim 29, wherein said game software includes further program instructions to apply a key-based encryption algorithm to at least a portion of said information pertaining to said developed skills, abilities or attributes prior to storing said information.

40. A live-action immersive entertainment system for amusing or entertaining multiple game participants playing a game at least a portion of which is physically represented in a physical play environment and at least a portion of which is visually and aurally represented in a virtual play environment through computer animation, said entertainment system comprising:

a physical play environment comprising a themed play area, play structure, family entertainment center, theme park, or game center that, when activated, produces one or more physical play effects, wherein said physical play environment supports multiple game participants and is themed in accordance with a particular game;

a virtual play environment comprising at least one gaming system comprising instructions to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with said particular game;

a plurality of wireless interactive toys comprising;

physical play objects or collectible items depicting or representing particular game characters or objects relevant to said particular game, each of said one or more interactive toys comprising;

an associated unique identification number;

non-volatile memory storing game-relevant information which includes at least said unique identification number; and

a wireless transmitter, wherein said wireless transmitter, when activated, wirelessly communicates game-relevant information to said gaming platform;

at least one wireless receiver comprising control signals to receive wireless input signals from one or more of said plurality of wireless interactive toys and to communicate said wireless input signals to said physical play environment and/or said virtual play environment; and

a master control system comprising;

instructions to actuate or control one or more physical play effects in said physical play environment and one or more computer-animated effects in said virtual play environment to provide an overall interactive game environment in which the game progress or performance of multiple game participants playing said particular game in both said physical play environment and said virtual play environment can be individually tracked according to the received wireless input signals, and;

instructions to adjust the interactive game environment for each said game participant in both said physical play environment and said virtual play environment based on said tracked game progress or performance.

41. The entertainment system of claim 40, wherein said at least one gaming system further comprises multiple gaming systems provided in one or more physical play environments, and wherein a network connection is provided between said multiple gaming systems, said gaming system further comprising communication instructions to cause selected game-relevant data to be communicated between said multiple gaming systems, and wherein said game-relevant data comprises at least game progress or performance information for up to hundreds of game participants playing said particular game simultaneously.

42. The entertainment system of claim 40, wherein said wireless receiver and said wireless transmitter comprise medium range wireless communication devices wherein said wireless receiver further comprises control signals to cause information to be exchanged wirelessly and electronically over a communication medium selected from RF, infrared, laser, visual, audio, or ultrasonic.

43. The entertainment system of claim 40, wherein said master control system comprises instructions to adjust the play experience for a game participant by allowing or denying access to one or more play areas in said physical or virtual play environment based on said tracked game progress or performance.

44. The entertainment system of claim 40, further comprising an image capture system programmed to automatically capture one or more digital images of a game participant.

45. The entertainment system of claim 40, further comprising multiple physical and virtual play environments disposed in multiple distinct venues that are separated geographically from one another, and wherein said master control system further comprising instructions to adjust the game experience for each said game participant in each of said multiple distinct venues based on said tracked game progress or performance in each of said multiple distinct venues.

46. The entertainment system of claim 45, wherein said master control system further comprises instructions to track game progress or performance of a game participant in a first venue to determine a reward to make available to said game participant in a second venue, whereby said game participant is encouraged to visit said second venue to obtain said reward.

47. The entertainment system of claim 46, wherein said multiple distinct venues comprise one or more of the following:

amusement park, arcade, family entertainment center, sports arena, retail store, restaurant, hotel, and movie theater.