Effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform

• US 8,904,298 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Nelson, Robert, Towns, Justin, Baum, Kirk, Zobell, Robert, Penn, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Shiferaw, Eleni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elmore, Gregory M
• Application Number:
  US13/838,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20140304624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 715/757, 715/826, 715/854, 713/159, 463/32, 463/43
• US Class Current: 715/757
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• 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 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2215/16 Using real world measurements to influence rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

Exemplary implementations may facilitate effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform. In some implementations, tokens may be detected based on signals received from token readers associated with individual ones of the multiple client computing platforms. A given token may be a standalone physical object. The given token may be detectable based on a signal conveying information associated with the given token. The information associated with the given token conveyed by the signal may be devoid of virtual space content.

Claims

1. A system configured to effectuate modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform, the system comprising:

a memory; and

one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising;

a space module configured to implement the instance of the virtual space to determine views of the virtual space, the instance of the virtual space being presented via a plurality of separate and distinct client computing platforms, the plurality of client computing platforms including a first client computing platform;

a token detection module configured to detect tokens based on signals received from token readers associated with individual ones of the plurality of client computing platforms, a given token being a standalone physical object, the tokens including a first token associated with the first client computing platform, the first token being detectable based on a first signal conveying information associated with the first token, the information associated with the first token conveyed by the first signal being devoid of virtual space content; and

a virtual space modification module configured to effectuate a first modification within the instance of the virtual space responsive to detection of the first token, the first modification being observable via multiple ones of the plurality client computing platforms, the first modification including a modification to one or more aspects of the virtual space, wherein the one or more aspects include an environment of the virtual space, the environment being an aggregate of surroundings and conditions of the virtual space, including laws of nature or weather depicted in the virtual space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first modification includes one or more of (1) a modification to a first character within the virtual space, (2) a modification to a first virtual item within the virtual space, or (3) a modification to one or more aspects of the virtual space.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the modification to the first character includes a modification to one or more of a behavior of the first character, an ability of the first character, an appearance of the first character, or a relationship of the first character.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the modification to the first virtual item includes a modification to one or more of a function of the first virtual item, an effectiveness of the first virtual item, or an appearance of the first virtual item.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more aspects include objectives associated with the virtual space, a given objective being a purpose or goal that efforts or actions within the virtual space are intended to attain or accomplish.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more aspects include a theme of the virtual space, the theme of the virtual space being a unifying subject associated with the virtual space.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first token is configured to be removably attached to a first physical accessory, and wherein the first token must be attached to the first physical accessory for the modification within the instance of the virtual space to be effectuated.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein detection of the first token in combination with detection of one or more other tokens associated with the first client computing platform effectuates another modification within the instance of the virtual space.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of client computing platforms further include a second client computing platform;

the tokens further include a second token associated with the second client computing platform, the second token being detectable based on a second signal conveying information associated with the second token, the information associated with the second token conveyed by the second signal being devoid of virtual space content; and

the virtual space modification module is further configured to effectuate a second modification within the instance of the virtual space responsive to detection of the second token, the second modification being observable via multiple ones of the plurality client computing platforms including the first client computing platform and the second computing platform.

10. A computer-implemented method for effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform, the method comprising:

implementing, with one or more processors, the instance of the virtual space to determine views of the virtual space, the instance of the virtual space being presented via a plurality of separate and distinct client computing platforms, the plurality of client computing platforms including a first client computing platform;

detecting, with one or more processors, tokens based on signals received from token readers associated with individual ones of the plurality of client computing platforms, a given token being a standalone physical object, the tokens including a first token associated with the first client computing platform, the first token being detectable based on a first signal conveying information associated with the first token, the information associated with the first token conveyed by the first signal being devoid of virtual space content; and

effectuating, with one or more processors, a first modification within the instance of the virtual space responsive to detection of the first token, the first modification being observable via multiple ones of the plurality client computing platforms, the first modification including a modification to one or more aspects of the virtual space, wherein the one or more aspects include an environment of the virtual space, the environment being an aggregate of surroundings and conditions of the virtual space, including laws of nature or weather depicted in the virtual space.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first modification includes one or more of (1) a modification to a first character within the virtual space, (2) a modification to a first virtual item within the virtual space, or (3) a modification to one or more aspects of the virtual space.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the modification to the first character includes a modification to one or more of a behavior of the first character, an ability of the first character, an appearance of the first character, or a relationship of the first character.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the modification to the first virtual item includes a modification to one or more of a function of the first virtual item, an effectiveness of the first virtual item, or an appearance of the first virtual item.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aspects include objectives associated with the virtual space, a given objective being a purpose or goal that efforts or actions within the virtual space are intended to attain or accomplish.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aspects include a theme of the virtual space, the theme of the virtual space being a unifying subject associated with the virtual space.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first token is configured to be removably attached to a first physical accessory, and wherein the first token must be attached to the first physical accessory for the modification within the instance of the virtual space to be effectuated.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising effectuating another modification within the instance of the virtual space responsive to detection of the first token in combination with detection of one or more other tokens associated with the first client computing platform.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the plurality of client computing platforms further include a second client computing platform;

the tokens further include a second token associated with the second client computing platform, the second token being detectable based on a second signal conveying information associated with the second token, the information associated with the second token conveyed by the second signal being devoid of virtual space content; and

the method further comprises effectuating a second modification within the instance of the virtual space responsive to detection of the second token, the second modification being observable via multiple ones of the plurality client computing platforms including the first client computing platform and the second computing platform.