Interactive video game with toys having functionality that is unlocked through game play

• US 9,039,532 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2012
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Canessa, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Milap
• Assistant Examiner(s): PINHEIRO, JASON PAUL
• Application Number:
  US13/665,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20140121008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 463/39
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• 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: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories

Abstract

A videogame system for use in connection with a toy, where each of the toys includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The toys further comprise audio, visual and other effects, wherein at least some of said effects are initially disabled, but later enabled as the user reaches certain achievements with the videogame.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a gaming device for providing a videogame in which a game character interacts with a virtual world, the videogame having predetermined game events; and

a toy configured to communicate with said gaming device, said toy including an electronic payload providing perceptible effects, circuitry for activating the electronic payload providing perceptible effects, and further including control circuitry for enabling and disabling said electronic payload, said electronic payload comprising at least one light;

wherein said effects are only enabled when said gaming device communicates to said control circuitry that said predetermined game events within said videogame have occurred, and said electronic payload is only activated upon said gaming device communicating to said circuitry a command to activate said electronic payload;

wherein the game character is a virtual representation of the toy and the gaming device includes a display for displaying the game character in the virtual world; and

wherein the gaming device, upon communicating to said circuitry the command to activate said electronic payload, provides on the display a virtual depiction, in the virtual world, of the game character reflecting the perceptible effect.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said effects are enabled to operate for a limited duration of time, the limited duration of time indicated by a duration value, with the control circuitry disabling said effects after the limited duration of time.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the toy is configured to communicate with said gaming device by way of radio frequency signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the toy includes memory, and wherein said control circuitry enables and disables said affects by setting a value in memory of the toy.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said gaming device includes at least a processor configured to execute program instructions to determine game events and to provide for display of video game action.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined game events consist of predetermined achievement levels.