Wireless entertainment device, system, and method

• US 9,393,491 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• 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:
  US14/885,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20160030836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 463 37- 42
• 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

A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.

Claims

1. A dual-mode gaming system for playing an interactive game wherein a first game mode is carried out in a computer-generated play environment via one or more computer animations provided by a first gaming device and wherein a second game mode is carried out in a physical play environment via one or more physical toys associated with a second gaming device, said dual-mode gaming system comprising:

one or more gaming toys each representing a person, character or object in said game, each of said one or more gaming toys comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, each said RFID tag comprising;

(i) a unique tag identification (ID) uniquely identifying said corresponding gaming toy in said game, and (ii) non-volatile, programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information comprising one or more changeable attributes of said corresponding person, character or object in said game;

a second gaming device configured to communicate with said first gaming device and to wirelessly power and communicate with said one or more gaming toys, said second gaming device comprising;

i) an RFID reader configured to wirelessly power and communicate with each said RFID tag when in readable proximity therewith so as to ascertain a second selection of information, including at least said unique tag ID and said first selection of information, and to communicate said second selection of information to said first gaming device; and

ii) an effects controller configured to control one or more associated sound or lighting effects in accordance with said game; and

game software stored on a storage device and configured to be executed by said first and second gaming devices to carry out said game, said game software comprising program instructions that, upon execution;

(i) cause said first gaming device to display in said computer-generated play environment a person, character or object having attributes corresponding to said first selection of information; and

(ii) cause said second gaming device to modify said first selection of information based on a game participant'"'"'s progress or performance in said game.

2. The dual-mode gaming system of claim 1 wherein each said RFID tag is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range greater than 1 cm and less than 25 cm and wherein said two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling.

3. The dual-mode gaming system of claim 1 wherein said first selection of information comprises one or more items of information selected from the following group:

points accumulated in said game, tasks completed in said game, and levels earned in said game.

4. The dual-mode gaming system of claim 1 wherein said one or more gaming toys comprise a plurality of collectible tokens, trinkets or pendants each representing a different person, character or object in said game.

5. The dual-mode gaming system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said gaming toys comprises a toy wand configured to be held by said game participant and moved freely in the air and wherein said toy wand further comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a tilt sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

6. The dual-mode gaming system of claim 1 wherein said second gaming device further comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate a third selection of information, including at least said unique tag ID, to a wireless-compatible device over a limited wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet and less than 100 feet.

7. The dual-mode gaming system of claim 1 wherein said first gaming device comprises a digital camera and wherein said game software comprises program instructions that, upon execution, cause said digital camera to selectively capture one or more digital images of said game participant playing said game.

8. A gaming system for playing an interactive game wherein a first portion of said game is carried out in a computer-generated play environment via one or more computer animations provided by a game control system comprising a host computer, home game console or hand-held gaming device, and wherein a second portion of said game is carried out in a physical play environment via one or more physical toys associated with an intermediary gaming device, said gaming system comprising:

one or more gaming toys each representing a different game character in said game, each of said one or more gaming toys comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, each said RFID tag comprising;

(i) a unique tag identification (ID) uniquely identifying said corresponding gaming toy in said game, and (ii) non-volatile, programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information comprising one or more character attributes of said corresponding game character;

an intermediary gaming device configured to communicate with said game control system and to wirelessly power and communicate with said one or more gaming toys, said intermediary gaming device comprising;

i) an RFID reader configured to wirelessly power and communicate with each said RFID tag when in readable proximity therewith so as to ascertain a second selection of information, including at least said unique tag ID and said first selection of information, and to communicate said second selection of information to said game control system; and

ii) an effects controller configured to activate one or more associated sound or lighting effects when said one or more gaming toys is placed in readable proximity with said RFID reader; and

game software stored in non-volatile memory and configured to be executed by said game control system and said intermediary gaming device to carry out said game, said game software comprising program instructions that, upon execution;

(i) cause said game control system to display in said computer-generated play environment a game character having attributes corresponding to said first selection of information; and

(ii) cause said intermediary gaming device to modify said first selection of information based at least in part on a game participant'"'"'s progress or performance in said game.

9. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein each said RFID tag is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range greater than 1 cm and less than 25 cm and wherein said two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling.

10. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said one or more gaming toys comprise a plurality of collectible tokens, trinkets or pendants each representing a different game character in said game.

11. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein at least one of said gaming toys comprises a toy wand configured to be held by said game participant and moved freely in the air and wherein said toy wand further comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a tilt sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

12. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said effects controller is configured to produce a first sound or lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a first set of conditions and a second sound or lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a second set of conditions and wherein first sound or lighting effect is different than said second sound or lighting effect and wherein said first set of conditions is different than said second set of conditions.

13. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said intermediary gaming device further comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate a third selection of information, including at least said unique tag ID, to a wireless-compatible device over a limited wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet and less than 100 feet.

14. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein said game control system is configured to control a digital camera in said physical play environment and wherein said game software comprises program instructions that, upon execution, cause said digital camera to selectively capture one or more digital images of said game participant playing said game in said physical play environment.

15. A gaming system for playing an interactive game wherein a first portion of said game is carried out in a computer-generated play environment via one or more computer animations provided by a game control system comprising a host computer, home game console or hand-held gaming device, and wherein a second portion of said game is carried out in a physical play environment via one or more physical toys associated with an intermediary gaming device and via a digital camera controlled by said game control system, said gaming system comprising:

one or more gaming toys each representing a different character or object in said game, each of said one or more gaming toys comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, each said RFID tag comprising;

(i) a unique identifier uniquely identifying said corresponding gaming toy in said game, and (ii) non-volatile, programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information comprising one or more attributes of said corresponding character or object in said game;

an intermediary gaming device configured to communicate with said game control system and to wirelessly power and communicate with said one or more gaming toys, said intermediary gaming device comprising an RFID reader configured to wirelessly power and communicate with each said RFID tag when in readable proximity therewith so as to ascertain a second selection of information, including at least said unique identifier and said first selection of information, and to communicate said second selection of information to said game control system; and

game software stored on a data storage device readable by a computing device and configured to be executed by said game control system and said intermediary gaming device to carry out said game, said game software comprising program instructions that, upon execution;

(i) cause said game control system to display in said computer-generated play environment a game character having attributes corresponding to said first selection of information;

(ii) cause said intermediary gaming device to modify said first selection of information based at least in part on a game participant'"'"'s progress or performance in said game; and

(iii) cause said digital camera to selectively capture one or more digital images of said game participant playing said game in said physical play environment.

16. The gaming system of claim 15 wherein each said RFID tag is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range greater than 1 cm and less than 25 cm and wherein said two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling.

17. The gaming system of claim 15 wherein said one or more gaming toys comprise a plurality of collectible tokens, trinkets or pendants each representing a different character or object in said game.

18. The gaming system of claim 15 wherein said intermediary gaming device further comprises an effects controller configured to activate one or more associated sound or lighting effects when said one or more gaming toys is placed in readable proximity with said RFID reader.

19. The gaming system of claim 18 wherein said effects controller is configured to produce a first sound or lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a first set of conditions and a second sound or lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a second set of conditions and wherein first sound or lighting effect is different than said second sound or lighting effect and wherein said first set of conditions is different than said second set of conditions.

20. The gaming system of claim 15 wherein said intermediary gaming device further comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate a third selection of information, including at least said unique identifier, to a wireless-compatible device over a limited wireless communication range of greater than 10 feet and less than 100 feet.