Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
First Claim
1. A wireless wand actuator for wirelessly actuating one or more entertainment effects as part of a magic-themed interactive entertainment experience, said wireless wand actuator comprising:
- an elongated body comprising a first portion configured to be gripped and held by a user using a single hand and a second portion extending away from said first portion; and
a wirelessly-powered radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder disposed within said second portion of said elongated body and comprising;
i) non-volatile memory having stored therein at least one identifier uniquely identifying said wireless wand actuator;
ii) a first radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communication with a compatible RFID reader; and
iii) an antenna configured to be wirelessly energized by said compatible RFID reader for wirelessly powering at least said RFID transponder;
said RFID transponder configured such that when said second portion of said wireless wand actuator is brought within a wireless communication range of said compatible RFID reader said RFID transponder wirelessly communicates to said compatible RFID reader a selection of information configured to cause or enable actuation of at least one entertainment effect.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique play experience carried out utilizing an interactive “wand” and/or other seemingly magical actuation/tracking device. The wand or other actuation device allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment(s), thereby giving play participants the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic. Optionally, multiple play participants, each provided with a suitable “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device, may play and interact together, either within or outside one or more compatible play environments, to achieve desired goals, master certain magical spells and/or produce desired seemingly magical effects within the play environment.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A wireless wand actuator for wirelessly actuating one or more entertainment effects as part of a magic-themed interactive entertainment experience, said wireless wand actuator comprising:
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an elongated body comprising a first portion configured to be gripped and held by a user using a single hand and a second portion extending away from said first portion; and a wirelessly-powered radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder disposed within said second portion of said elongated body and comprising;
i) non-volatile memory having stored therein at least one identifier uniquely identifying said wireless wand actuator;
ii) a first radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communication with a compatible RFID reader; and
iii) an antenna configured to be wirelessly energized by said compatible RFID reader for wirelessly powering at least said RFID transponder;said RFID transponder configured such that when said second portion of said wireless wand actuator is brought within a wireless communication range of said compatible RFID reader said RFID transponder wirelessly communicates to said compatible RFID reader a selection of information configured to cause or enable actuation of at least one entertainment effect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing an interactive entertainment experience, said method comprising:
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providing at least one interactive entertainment effect configured to be wirelessly actuated by a participant, said at least one interactive entertainment effect comprising a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more wireless-compatible devices; providing a handheld wireless actuator configured to allow said participant to selectively actuate said at least one interactive entertainment effect, said handheld wireless actuator comprising a second RF transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with at least said first RF transceiver; configuring said first RF transceiver to wirelessly communicate a first selection of information to said second RF transceiver when said first and second RF transceivers are within a wireless communication range, said first selection of information comprising a first identifier uniquely associated with said at least one interactive entertainment effect; configuring said second RF transceiver to wirelessly communicate a second selection of information to said first RF transceiver when said first and second RF transceivers are within said wireless communication range, said second selection of information comprising a second identifier uniquely associated with said handheld wireless actuator; and capturing one or more digital images of said participant during said interactive entertainment experience and storing said one or more digital images in association with a third selection of information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A wireless interactive entertainment system for entertaining one or more participants as part of a magic-themed live-action entertainment experience, said wireless interactive entertainment system comprising:
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a plurality of interactive entertainment effects provided within a live-action entertainment venue; an effects controller configured to actuate at least one of said interactive entertainment effects, said effects controller comprising a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more wireless-compatible devices over a communication range greater than ten feet; a motion-sensitive wireless wand actuator comprising;
i) an elongated body configured to be held and operated by a participant using a single hand;
ii) non-volatile memory having stored therein at least one identifier uniquely identifying said wireless wand actuator; and
iii) a second RF transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with at least said first RF transceiver; anda master control system configured to;
i) communicate with said effects controller, ii) track the progress or performance of said one or more participants, and iii) adjust the entertainment experience for each said one or more participants based at least in part on said tracked progress or performance. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification