Interactive entertainment systems and methods
DCFirst Claim
1. A wireless toy system and associated reader for enabling a game participant to access and play selected portions of an interactive game on a compatible home game console, personal computer, or hand-held game unit, said wireless toy system and associated reader comprising:
- a first wireless toy comprising a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having non-volatile programmable memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information wherein said first wireless toy provides said game participant access to play a first portion of said interactive game;
a second wireless toy comprising a second RFID tag having non-volatile memory storing a second selection of game-relevant information and an encryption key and wherein said second selection of game-relevant information is different than said first selection of game-relevant information, wherein said second wireless toy provides said game participant access to play a second portion of said interactive game that cannot otherwise be accessed by said game participant using only said first wireless toy;
an RFID reader comprising;
i) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with each said first and second RFID tags over a wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and to thereby ascertain said first and second selections of game-relevant information and said encryption key; and
ii) a communication interface configured to enable said RFID reader to communicate with said compatible home game console, personal computer, or hand-held game unit;
and wherein said second selection of game-relevant information comprises at least one access code comprising encrypted information and wherein, after said access code is decrypted or authenticated using said encryption key, said game participant is provided access to play said second portion of said interactive game.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are described for selling, loaning, renting, or otherwise providing a retail product, such as an interactive product, that allows a consumer to participate in one or more venues. The retail product is capable of interfacing with interactive devices in the venues that are capable of producing sensory effects based on communication from and/or to the retail product. Furthermore, the retail product preferably has an independent or intrinsic value apart from the use of the product in the venues, and may include, for example, a toy wand or like toy device, apparel, and/or jewelry. In certain examples, the retail methods include tracking the consumer'"'"'s use of the retail product in the venue(s). Such tracking information may be used to customize the experience of the user during a subsequent visit to the same venue or another venue.
93 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless toy system and associated reader for enabling a game participant to access and play selected portions of an interactive game on a compatible home game console, personal computer, or hand-held game unit, said wireless toy system and associated reader comprising:
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a first wireless toy comprising a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having non-volatile programmable memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information wherein said first wireless toy provides said game participant access to play a first portion of said interactive game; a second wireless toy comprising a second RFID tag having non-volatile memory storing a second selection of game-relevant information and an encryption key and wherein said second selection of game-relevant information is different than said first selection of game-relevant information, wherein said second wireless toy provides said game participant access to play a second portion of said interactive game that cannot otherwise be accessed by said game participant using only said first wireless toy; an RFID reader comprising;
i) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with each said first and second RFID tags over a wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and to thereby ascertain said first and second selections of game-relevant information and said encryption key; and
ii) a communication interface configured to enable said RFID reader to communicate with said compatible home game console, personal computer, or hand-held game unit;and wherein said second selection of game-relevant information comprises at least one access code comprising encrypted information and wherein, after said access code is decrypted or authenticated using said encryption key, said game participant is provided access to play said second portion of said interactive game. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method utilizing one or more wireless toys for controlling access to selected portions or features of an interactive game played by a game participant on a compatible gaming device, said method comprising:
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configuring said compatible gaming device to carry out said interactive game, wherein said interactive game comprises a main game portion configured to be accessed and played by said game participant using said compatible gaming device, and one or more additional game portions or features accessed by said game participant using said compatible gaming device in combination with said one or more wireless toys; providing a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, wherein said RFID reader provides two-way wireless communications with one or more compatible RFID tags over a wireless communication range of less than 60 cm; configuring said RFID reader to communicate to said compatible gaming device selected game-relevant information, wherein said game-relevant information provides said compatible gaming device access to said one or more additional game portions or features; providing a first RFID-tagged toy comprising a first RFID tag having non-volatile memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information, said first selection of game-relevant information comprising an encryption-protected first access code and wherein, after decrypted or authenticated using a first encryption key uniquely associated with said first RFID-tagged toy, said first access code provides said game participant access to a first one of said additional game portions or features of said interactive game; and using said first RFID-tagged toy to access said first additional game portion or feature by bringing said first RFID-tagged toy within said wireless communication range of said RFID reader and thereby causing said first access code to be ascertained and communicated to said compatible gaming device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wireless toy for use by a game participant in combination with a wireless-compatible gaming platform for selectively accessing one or more portions or features of an interactive game, said wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag read to wirelessly power and provide two-way wireless communications with one or more compatible RFID tags over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm, said wireless toy comprising:
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a first portable body comprising an internal cavity; a first RFID tag disposed within said internal cavity, said first RFID tag comprising;
i) an antenna and ii) non-volatile memory storing a first selection of game-relevant information which provides said game participant access to a first one of said one or more portions or features of said interactive game wherein after said first portable body is selectively positioned by said game participant within said limited wireless communication range of said RFID tag reader, said first RFID tag is wirelessly energized by said RFID tag reader by inductive coupling for wirelessly powering said first RFID tag;said first selection of game-relevant information comprising a first encryption-protected item of information to be decrypted or authenticated using an encryption key, and wherein, after decrypted or authenticated, said first encryption-protected item of information provides said game participant access to said first portion or feature of said interactive game; and said first selection of game-relevant information further comprising a first encryption key, wherein said first encryption key causes said wireless-compatible gaming platform to decrypt or authenticate said first encryption-protected item of information and to control access to said first portion or feature of said interactive game based at least in part on said first encryption-protected item of information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification