Interactive video game with visual lighting effects

• US 9,289,691 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2015
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Leyland, Robert, Huang, I-Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US14/846,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20150375124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 200 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 463/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/02 Accessories input or output arrangements for electrical digital computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• 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 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• 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 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2454 with LED
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toy objects near or on the peripheral. Each of the toy objects includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The peripheral device provides lighting effects based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user'"'"'s gameplay experience.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a plurality of light sources of a peripheral, said peripheral being coupled to a system executing a videogame, the method comprising:

detecting, by the peripheral, a first physical object proximate to the peripheral, the first physical object being representative of a virtual character playable within the videogame;

receiving, by the peripheral, information of the first physical object;

transmitting, by the peripheral, the information of the first physical object to the system executing the videogame;

displaying a rendered representation of the virtual character within the videogame; and

while the first physical object is proximate to the peripheral;

detecting, by the peripheral, a second physical object proximate to the peripheral, the second physical object being representative of a virtual object within the videogame,

receiving, by the peripheral, information of the second physical object,

transmitting, by the peripheral, the information of the second physical object to the system executing the videogame,

displaying a rendered representation of the virtual object within the videogame,

illuminating a first light source of the peripheral to produce a first lighting effect in response to a first gameplay event, and

illuminating a second light source of the peripheral to produce a second lighting effect in response to a second gameplay event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual character playable within the videogame is able to manipulate the object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual object is a moveable object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual object is a vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual character playable within the videogame may possess the object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light source provides light of a first color.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light source provides light of a first color and the second light source provides light of a second color.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gameplay event is placement of the first physical object on the peripheral.

9. A peripheral for a gaming system executing a game, comprising:

one or more radio frequency (RF) transceivers configured to provide short-range wireless communication with one or more RFID-tagged physical objects representing a character or object of the game and comprising machine-readable information identifying said physical objects;

two or more light sources;

an interface for receiving the machine-readable information of one or more physical objects;

an interface for transmitting the machine-readable information to the gaming system;

an at least partially translucent surface overlaying said light sources and for receiving one or more physical objects; and

an interface for receiving instructions from said gaming system;

wherein said instructions comprise instructions for the peripheral to activate a first lighting effect in one of said light sources, said first lighting effect being visible through said partially translucent surface;

wherein said first lighting effect prompts a user to place one of said physical objects on said partially translucent surface of said peripheral; and

wherein said peripheral, in response to identification of a physical object based on said machine readable information, activates a second lighting effect in one or more said light sources, and wherein said second lighting effect is visible through said partially translucent surface.

10. The peripheral of claim 9, wherein the two or more light sources include red, green, and blue light sources.

11. The peripheral of claim 9, further comprising a housing, and wherein said partially translucent surface is a top surface of the housing.

12. The peripheral of claim 9, further comprising a housing, and wherein the two or more light sources are within the housing.

13. The peripheral of claim 9, wherein the two or more light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs).