Customizable toy for playing a wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
DCFirst Claim
1. A combination wireless toy and input device for playing a computer-animated game on a wireless-compatible gaming platform, said combination wireless toy and input device comprising:
- a first modular component configured to be selectively and detachably assembled with a second modular component to form an assembled toy comprising a doll, action figure or other physical object relevant to a computer-animated game played by a game participant on a wireless-compatible gaming platform;
said first modular component comprising;
i) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communication with said wireless-compatible gaming platform, ii) programmable non-volatile memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information comprising a first set of one or more in-game attributes of a person, character or object relevant to said game, and iii) an electrically-conductive coil configured to be energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field for powering at least said RF transceiver;
said second modular component comprising non-volatile memory storing a second selection of game-relevant information comprising a second set of one or more in-game attributes of said person, character or object; and
wherein said assembled toy is configured such that said game participant can selectively change at least said first set of one or more in-game attributes associated with said assembled toy by replacing at least said first modular component with a third modular component comprising non-volatile memory storing a third selection of game-relevant information that is different than said first selection of game-relevant information.
3 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that connects both physical and virtual play environments and includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a physical gaming item such as a toy from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase that provides virtual play via computer animation. 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 and improve the physical gaming item to help achieve one or more special effects or complete one or more 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 or other face-off challenge.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A combination wireless toy and input device for playing a computer-animated game on a wireless-compatible gaming platform, said combination wireless toy and input device comprising:
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a first modular component configured to be selectively and detachably assembled with a second modular component to form an assembled toy comprising a doll, action figure or other physical object relevant to a computer-animated game played by a game participant on a wireless-compatible gaming platform; said first modular component comprising;
i) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communication with said wireless-compatible gaming platform, ii) programmable non-volatile memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information comprising a first set of one or more in-game attributes of a person, character or object relevant to said game, and iii) an electrically-conductive coil configured to be energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field for powering at least said RF transceiver;said second modular component comprising non-volatile memory storing a second selection of game-relevant information comprising a second set of one or more in-game attributes of said person, character or object; and wherein said assembled toy is configured such that said game participant can selectively change at least said first set of one or more in-game attributes associated with said assembled toy by replacing at least said first modular component with a third modular component comprising non-volatile memory storing a third selection of game-relevant information that is different than said first selection of game-relevant information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A customizable toy for playing an interactive game carried out in both a physical play environment and in a virtual play environment, said customizable toy comprising:
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a first mating component configured to be modularly assembled with a second mating component to form a multi-component toy comprising at least said first mating component and said second mating component; each of said first mating component and said second mating component comprising non-volatile memory storing a corresponding identifier configured to uniquely identify said first mating component and said second mating component within a computer-animated game played by a game participant on a compatible gaming platform; said first mating component further comprising;
i) a wireless transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communication with a wireless-compatible device, ii) programmable non-volatile memory configured to store therein a first selection of game-relevant information comprising one or more character attributes possessed by a virtual game character played by said game participant in said computer-animated game, and iii) an inductance coil configured to be wirelessly energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field to electrically power at least said first mating component; andwherein said multi-component toy is configured such that said game participant can selectively replace at least said first mating component with a third mating component comprising non-volatile memory storing a corresponding third identifier configured to uniquely identify said third mating component within said computer-animated game. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform, said interactive gaming system comprising:
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a modular toy configured to be selectively assembled and used by a game participant as a player input device or a player tracking device, said modular toy comprising a first mating component and a second mating component each configured to be selectively and detachably assembled with one another; said first mating component comprising;
i) a first wirelessly-powered radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more wireless-compatible devices, and ii) non-volatile memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information comprising one or more attributes of a game character played by said game participant in said computer-animated game;said second mating component comprising programmable non-volatile memory storing a second selection of game-relevant information; a third mating component configured to be selectively and detachably assembled with at least said second mating component and comprising a second wirelessly-powered RF transceiver and non-volatile memory configured to store a third selection of game-relevant information comprising one or more attributes of a game character played by said game participant in said computer-animated game and wherein said first mating component, said second mating component, and said third mating component are configured such that said game participant can selectively modify said modular toy by replacing said first mating component with said third mating component; and a compatible reader device configured to wirelessly power and communicate with said first RF transceiver and said second RF transceiver over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A wireless gaming system for amusing or entertaining a game participant playing a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform, said wireless gaming system comprising:
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at least one gaming item comprising a portable toy configured to be used by a game participant as a player input device or a player tracking device in a computer-animated game carried out on a compatible gaming platform, said at least one gaming item comprising; non-volatile memory storing a unique identifier uniquely identifying said at least one gaming item; programmable non-volatile memory configured to store a first selection of game-relevant information comprising one or more attributes of a game character played by said game participant in said computer-animated game, and a first wirelessly-powered transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more wireless-compatible devices and wherein said two-way wireless communications communicate at least said unique identifier; one or more adjunct gaming items configured to be used by said game participant in combination with said at least one gaming item to access one or more features or portions of said computer-animated game, said one or more adjunct gaming items comprising;
i) non-volatile memory configured to store a second selection of game-relevant information, and ii) a second wirelessly-powered transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said one or more wireless-compatible devices; anda wireless reader device configured to wirelessly power and communicate with each of said first and second wirelessly-powered transceivers and to ascertain therefrom said first selection of game-relevant information and said second selection of game-relevant information and to communicate said first selection of game-relevant information and said second selection of game-relevant information to said compatible gaming platform. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification