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System and method for playing an interactive game

DC
  • US 9,272,206 B2
  • Filed: 07/17/2013
  • Issued: 03/01/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An interactive gaming system for entertaining one or more game participants playing a game wherein at least a first portion of said game is virtually represented in a virtual play environment and wherein at least a second portion of said game is physically represented in a physical play environment, said interactive gaming system comprising:

  • a plurality of physical gaming items each comprising;

    i) a wirelessly-powered radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with a wireless-compatible device, ii) a unique identification number uniquely identifying said corresponding gaming item, and iii) non-volatile memory configured to store selected game-relevant information associated with said corresponding gaming item; and

    at least one wireless-compatible game device configured to wirelessly power and provide two-way wireless communications with each said gaming item over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said wireless communication is facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said at least one wireless-compatible game device and each said RF transceiver when each said associated gaming item is provided within said limited communication range of said at least one wireless-compatible game device, and wherein said at least one wireless-compatible game device is further configured to ascertain said selected game-relevant information from each said gaming item and to communicate said selected game-relevant information to a compatible gaming platform comprising one or more of;

    a game console, a home computer, or a hand-held gaming device; and

    wherein said plurality of physical gaming items comprises at least one player item depicting or representing a role-play character played by a corresponding game participant in said game and wherein said at least one player item is further configured to store selected information indicating progress or development of said corresponding role-play character played by said game participant in said game, and wherein said plurality of physical gaming items comprises at least one access item having stored therein an encrypted code configured to be decrypted or authenticated to thereby enable said game participant to access additional features or portions of said game,wherein said at least one player item comprises programmable non-volatile memory and wherein said selected game-relevant information comprises game or character progress or character attributes developed by said game participant while playing said game using said at least one player item,wherein said selected game-relevant information further comprises an authenticating passcode that communicates or authenticates said game or character progress and wherein said at least one game device is configured to automatically download said authenticating passcode to said at least one player item when said at least one player item is provided within said limited communication range of said at least one game device, andwherein said authenticating passcode comprises encrypted information indicating completion of one or more game events and wherein said encrypted information is configured to be decrypted or authenticated using an encryption key that is unique to said at least one player item.

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