Interactive video game with visual lighting effects

• US 8,894,462 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Leyland, Robert, Huang, I-Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US13/335,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20130165223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 463/42
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/02 Accessories input or output arrangements for electrical digital computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• 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 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2454 with LED
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toy objects near or on the peripheral. Each of the toy objects includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The peripheral device provides lighting effects based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user'"'"'s gameplay experience.

Claims

1. A video game system, comprising:

a physical object including machine readable information, the physical object including at least one fluorescing portion;

a peripheral device, separate from the physical object, having a light source, an interface for reading the machine readable information of the physical object, and an at least a partially translucent surface for receiving the physical object;

a processor for executing instructions relating to game play, including adding a game character to game play based on detection of the physical object proximate the peripheral device and controlling the actions of the game character based on user inputs, and for controlling the light source of the peripheral device to emit light responsive to the game play, to cause a visual effect through exposure of the at least one fluorescing portion of the physical object to at least some of the emitted light which passes through the partially translucent surface of the peripheral device when the physical object is proximate the peripheral device.

2. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured with a red, green, or blue light emitting diode.

3. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescing portion is a fluorescent plastic.

4. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescing portion has a color tint.

5. The video game system of claim 4, wherein the color tint is fluorescent green.

6. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to produce a blue light.

7. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions which further cause the light source to emit light at a timing in response to a gameplay events.

8. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions which further cause the light source to emit light in a color at a timing based on gameplay events.