Wireless entertainment device, system, and method

• US 9,162,148 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2014
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Inventors: Barney, Jonathan A., Weston, Denise Chapman
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US14/568,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20150099585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 463/30, 463 36- 42, 345/158, 345/161, 345/179, 715/701, 715/702
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• 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 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/497 Partially or entirely replaying previous game actions
• 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 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2402 Input by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2429 IC card, chip card, smart card
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2433 Voice-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2452 : as a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/248 : Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 : by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/485 : using a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 : using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 : involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 : comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 : the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 : Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 : Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 : Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 : Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 : Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/18 : Use of optical transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 : Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 : using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP

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.

Claims

1. A portable wireless gaming device for wirelessly actuating one or more interactive effects as part of an interactive entertainment experience, said portable wireless gaming device comprising:

a portable body configured to be held and operated by a user, said portable body comprising one or more batteries and associated electronic circuitry configured to power and operate said portable wireless gaming device;

non-volatile memory having stored therein at least one identifier uniquely identifying said portable wireless gaming device;

an antenna configured to generate power by inductive coupling with an externally-generated electromagnetic field when a user selectively places said antenna in said electromagnetic field;

a first radio frequency (RF) transmitter powered by said antenna and configured to transmit a first wireless signal to a first wireless-compatible receiver over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm; and

a second RF transmitter powered by said one or more batteries and configured to transmit a second wireless signal to a second wireless-compatible receiver over a limited wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet and less than 100 feet;

said first and second wireless signals comprising a selection of information relevant to said interactive entertainment experience and configured to cause or enable actuation of at least one of said one or more interactive effects.

2. The portable wireless gaming device of claim 1 wherein said portable body comprises 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.

3. The portable wireless gaming device of claim 1, wherein said interactive entertainment experience comprises a magic-themed game, and wherein said selection of information comprises performance data or progress data of a game participant in said magic-themed game.

4. The portable wireless gaming device of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a motion or orientation of said portable wireless gaming device, said at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a tilt sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

5. The portable wireless gaming device of claim 1, wherein said non-volatile memory, said antenna and said first RF transmitter are part of a single integrated device comprising a passive RFID transponder configured to provide two-way wireless communication with a compatible RFID reader over said limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm.

6. The portable wireless gaming device of claim 1, wherein said selection of information comprises said at least one identifier.

7. A wireless interactive entertainment system for entertaining one or more participants as part of an interactive entertainment experience, said wireless interactive entertainment system comprising:

a portable wireless gaming device configured to be carried or worn by each said one or more participants, said portable wireless gaming device comprising first and second radio frequency (RF) transmitters configured to transmit first and second wireless signals, respectively, each comprising an identifier configured to uniquely identify said portable wireless gaming device;

a plurality of interactive entertainment effects configured to be wirelessly actuated by said portable wireless gaming device in accordance with a game or competition carried out by said one or more participants;

a first RF receiver configured to receive said first wireless signal from said first RF transmitter and to thereby cause a first associated control module to actuate a first one of said interactive entertainment effects, said first RF receiver and said first RF transmitter having a limited wireless communication range of between 1 cm and 60 cm;

a second RF receiver configured to receive said second wireless signal from said second RF transmitter and to thereby cause a second associated control module to actuate a second one of said interactive entertainment effects, said second RF receiver and said second RF transmitter having a limited wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 100 feet; and

a master control system configured to;

i) communicate with each said first and second RF receivers, ii) track the progress or performance of said one or more participants in said game or competition, and iii) adjust the entertainment experience for each said one or more participants based at least in part on said tracked progress or performance.

8. The wireless interactive entertainment system of claim 7, wherein at least one of said plurality of interactive entertainment effects is configured to produce one or more computer-animated effects.

9. The wireless interactive entertainment system of claim 7, wherein said interactive entertainment experience comprises a magic-themed game and wherein at least one of said plurality of interactive entertainment effects comprises simulating performance of magic.

10. The wireless interactive entertainment system of claim 7, wherein said first transmitter comprises a passive RFID transponder and said first RF receiver comprises a compatible RFID reader configured to read said RFID transponder over said limited wireless communication range of between 1 cm and 60 cm.

11. The wireless interactive entertainment system of claim 7, wherein said portable wireless gaming device comprises a motion-sensitive wireless wand actuator comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a tilt sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

12. The wireless interactive entertainment system of claim 7, further comprising a digital imaging system communicatively coupled to said master control system, said digital imaging system configured to automatically capture, store and selectively retrieve one or more digital images of said one or more participants.

13. A wireless gaming device for playing a computer-animated game comprising one or more upgradable game characters, said wireless gaming device comprising:

a portable handheld body comprising an internal cavity configured to hold one or more batteries and associated electronics for powering and operating said wireless gaming device;

non-volatile memory storing a unique identifier configured to uniquely identify said wireless gaming device;

a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide first two-way wireless communications with a first wireless-compatible device over a limited communication range of greater than 1 cm and less than 60 cm and wherein said first two-way wireless communications communicate a first selection of game-relevant information comprising one or more character attributes associated with said one or more upgradeable game characters;

a second RF transceiver configured to provide second two-way wireless communications with a second wireless-compatible device over a limited communication range of between 10 and 100 feet and wherein said second two-way wireless communications communicate a second selection of game-relevant information; and

a display screen configured to display at least said second selection of game-relevant information.

14. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, wherein said portable handheld body is configured to be held and moved freely in the air and wherein said wireless gaming device further comprises motion- or position-sensitive circuitry configured to enable said wireless gaming device to be operated by a game participant at least in part by moving said portable handheld body in free space.

15. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, wherein said first RF transceiver is configured to provide said first two-way wireless communications with said first wireless-compatible device over a limited communication range of less than 25 cm, and wherein said first two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling.

16. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, wherein said first selection of game-relevant information comprises one or more in-game character attributes selected from the following group:

traits, powers, abilities and skills.

17. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, wherein said second selection of game-relevant information comprises one or more items of information selected from the following group:

said unique identifier, points accumulated in said computer-animated game, tasks completed in said computer-animated game, and messages sent to or from game participants.

18. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, in combination with an image capture system configured to capture one or more digital images of a game participant playing said computer-animated game using said wireless gaming device.

19. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, in combination with said first wireless-compatible device, and wherein said first wireless-compatible device comprises a card, token or trinket configured to depict or represent a corresponding one of said one or more upgradeable game characters.

20. The wireless gaming device of claim 13, further comprising an effects generator configured to produce one or more lighting, vibration or sound effects in accordance with said computer-animated game.