Interactive video game using game-related physical objects for conducting gameplay

• US 9,381,430 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Reiche, Paul, Gerstein, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Pierce, Damon
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, ANH-VO V
• Application Number:
  US13/109,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20120295704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,876 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• 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 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• 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 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting

Abstract

A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toys near or on the peripheral. Each of the toys includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The interactive video game presents a play pattern such that when a toy is detected in a detection area of the peripheral, the virtual game system may process the placement of the toy so as to effectuate a video game control action such as an attack or a maneuver to evade an enemy.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for controlling a movement of a virtual object in a video game using a physical object, comprising:

detecting a physical object within a detection area of a detection device;

determining a position for a virtual character, controllable by inputs from user input devices, corresponding to the physical object within a video game play sequence;

retrieving identification information from the physical object;

executing instructions to conduct a game play sequence to display the virtual character based on the identification information and to display a movement of the virtual character from an entry point to the determined position in response to detecting the presence of the physical object, the movement including an attack sequence determined according to the identification information;

detecting removal of the physical object from the detection area of the detection device; and

executing instructions to conduct a second game play sequence to display an exit movement of the virtual character from a last position of the virtual character to an exit point in response to detecting the removal of the physical object, wherein the exit movement including a defensive gameplay move and the exit point being different than the last position of the virtual character.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information is retrieved from a memory device within the object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection device is configured to detect the physical object via a radio frequency identification system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the position is determined based on information received via an input device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical object is a toy.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the toy is a fantasy creature.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the toy is an action figure.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the toy is a car.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the toy is a robot.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical object is configured with a memory for storing data received from the detection device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the defensive gameplay move comprises:

evading an attack by an enemy character.

12. A computer implemented method for conducting video game play using a physical object, comprising:

determining a starting position for a virtual object within a video game play sequence;

detecting a physical object within a detection area of a detection device;

retrieving identification information for the physical object;

conducting a game play sequence to display a virtual object based on the identification information and to display a movement of the virtual object from an entry point to the starting position based in response to detecting the physical object;

determining a location of an enemy character within a video game play sequence;

conducting a game play sequence such that when the location of the enemy character is at the starting position for the virtual object, a health value for the enemy character is reduced;

detecting removal of the physical object from the detection area of the detection device; and

executing instructions to conduct a second game play sequence to display an exit movement of the virtual character from a last position of the virtual character to an exit point in response to detecting the removal of the physical object, wherein the exit movement including a defensive gameplay move and the exit point being different than the last position of the virtual character.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detection device is configured to detect the object via a radio frequency identification system.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the physical object is a toy.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the toy is a fantasy creature.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the toy is an action figure.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the toy is a car.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the toy is a robot.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the physical object is a weapon.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the physical object is configured with a memory for storing data received from the detection device.

21. A video game system comprising:

a physical object;

a peripheral for detecting the presence of the physical object;

a video game console including a processor for executing instructions to;

retrieve identification information for the physical object and command display of a virtual character corresponding to the physical object on a display, the virtual character controllable by inputs from a user input device;

determine a position for the virtual character within a video game play sequence;

conduct the game play sequence to display movement of the virtual character from an entry point to the determined position in response to detecting the physical object by the peripheral, the movement including an attack sequence determined according to the identification information;

detect removal of the physical object from the peripheral; and

conduct a second game play sequence to display an exit movement of the virtual character from a last position of the virtual character to an exit point in response to detecting the removal of the physical object, wherein the exit movement including a defensive gameplay move and the exit point being different than the last position of the virtual character.

22. The video game system of claim 21, wherein the identification information is retrieved from a memory device within the physical object.

23. The video game system of claim 21, wherein the physical object is configured with a memory for storing data received from the peripheral.

24. The video game system of claim 21, wherein the physical object is a toy.

25. The video game system of claim 24, wherein the toy is a fantasy creature.

26. The video game system of claim 24, wherein the toy is an action figure.

27. The video game system of claim 24, wherein the toy is a car.

28. The video game system of claim 24, wherein the toy is a robot.

29. A video game system comprising:

a physical object;

a peripheral for detecting the presence of the physical object;

a video game console including a processor for executing instructions to;

retrieve identification information for the physical object and command display of a virtual object corresponding to the physical object on a display;

determine a position for the virtual object within a video game play sequence;

conduct a game play sequence to display movement of the virtual object from an entry point to the determined position in response to detecting the physical object by the peripheral;

determine a location of an enemy character within a video game play sequence;

conduct a game play sequence such that when the location of the enemy character is at the determined position for the virtual object, a health value for the enemy character is reduced;

detecting removal of the physical object from the detection area of the detection device; and

executing instructions to conduct a second game play sequence to display an exit movement of the virtual character from a last position of the virtual character to an exit point in response to detecting the removal of the physical object, wherein the exit movement including a defensive gameplay move and the exit point being different than the last position of the virtual character.

30. The video game system of claim 29, wherein the identification information is retrieved from a memory device within the physical object.

31. The video game system of claim 29, wherein the physical object s configured with a memory for storing data received from the peripheral.

32. The video game system of claim 29, wherein the physical object is a toy.

33. The video game system of claim 32, wherein the toy is a fantasy creature.

34. The video game system of claim 32, wherein the toy is an action figure.

35. The video game system of claim 32, wherein the toy is a car.

36. The video game system of claim 32, wherein the toy is a robot.

37. The video game system of claim 29, wherein the physical object is a weapon.