Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
DCFirst Claim
1. A wireless interactive gaming system combining physical and virtual gameplay elements, said wireless interactive gaming system comprising:
- a doll or action figure comprising a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising non-volatile memory storing a first selection of information configured to enable a game participant to access and play a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform;
a plurality of adjunct gaming items each comprising a second RFID tag comprising non-volatile memory storing a second selection of information configured to enable said game participant to access one or more optional features of said computer-animated game, each said adjunct gaming item comprising a molded plastic body having a cavity formed therein and wherein said second RFID tag is disposed in said cavity and encapsulated within said molded plastic body; and
an RFID reader configured to;
i) wirelessly power and communicate with each of said first and second RFID tags through inductive coupling;
ii) ascertain said corresponding first and second selections of information, and iii) communicate said first and second selections of information to said compatible gaming platform.
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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 store that is usable in an interactive game that provides virtual play via computer animation. The toy may include an RFID transponder or tag which is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or character. Players advance in the game by finding clues, casting spells and solving various puzzles presented. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, and the like. All of this information is stored on the RFID tag and/or an associated database such that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, an imaginary role-play character is created and stored on a portable device that is able to seamlessly transcend from one play environment to the next.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless interactive gaming system combining physical and virtual gameplay elements, said wireless interactive gaming system comprising:
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a doll or action figure comprising a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising non-volatile memory storing a first selection of information configured to enable a game participant to access and play a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform; a plurality of adjunct gaming items each comprising a second RFID tag comprising non-volatile memory storing a second selection of information configured to enable said game participant to access one or more optional features of said computer-animated game, each said adjunct gaming item comprising a molded plastic body having a cavity formed therein and wherein said second RFID tag is disposed in said cavity and encapsulated within said molded plastic body; and an RFID reader configured to;
i) wirelessly power and communicate with each of said first and second RFID tags through inductive coupling;
ii) ascertain said corresponding first and second selections of information, and iii) communicate said first and second selections of information to said compatible gaming platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wireless gaming system combining physical toys and virtual gameplay, said wireless gaming system comprising:
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a first gaming item comprising a doll or action figure configured to be used by a game participant as a player tracking device in an associated computer-animated game carried out on a compatible gaming platform comprising a home game console or handheld gaming device, said first gaming item comprising a first radio frequency (RF) transponder comprising a unique identifier uniquely identifying said first gaming item and non-volatile programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information comprising machine-readable data describing selected progress or achievements of said game participant in said computer-animated game; a second gaming item configured to be used by said game participant in conjunction with said first gaming item to selectively access one or more optional features of said computer-animated game, said second gaming item comprising a second RF transponder comprising non-volatile memory configured to store a second selection of information comprising machine-readable data describing selected powers or abilities of a virtual game character in said computer-animated game; and a wireless reader configured to;
i) wirelessly communicate with each of said first and second RF transponders, ii) ascertain from said first and second RF transponders said corresponding first and second selections of information, iii) communicate said first and second selections of information to said compatible gaming platform, and iv) store said first selection of information in said non-volatile programmable memory of said first RF transponder based on progress or achievements of said game participant in said computer-animated game. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A wireless interactive toy for storing, transporting and wirelessly communicating information relevant to a virtual game character in an associated game played on one or more wireless-compatible gaming platforms, said wireless interactive toy comprising a toy body molded from a plastic material and formed in a shape and color simulating a natural crystal, said toy body having an internal cavity formed therein configured to house associated electronic circuitry comprising:
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a microprocessor; non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a first selection of information comprising a machine-readable identifier uniquely identifying said wireless interactive toy; programmable non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a second selection of information comprising machine-readable data describing selected in-game attributes of said virtual game character; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said microprocessor and configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said one or more wireless-compatible gaming platforms and wherein said two-way wireless communications comprise at least said second selection of information; and an antenna electrically coupled to said RF transceiver and configured to be wirelessly energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field to thereby electrically power at least said RF transceiver; wherein said microprocessor, said non-volatile memory, said programmable non-volatile memory, said RF transceiver, and said antenna are all disposed in said internal cavity and encapsulated within said toy body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification