Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
DCFirst Claim
1. A gaming toy for playing a game that combines both physical and virtual gameplay elements, said gaming toy comprising:
- a plurality of modular components configured to be selectively and detachably assembled by a game participant to form a doll, action figure or object relevant to a computer-animated game played by said game participant on a compatible gaming platform;
at least one of said modular components comprising;
(i) a microprocessor;
(ii) non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier uniquely identifying said gaming toy within said computer-animated game;
(iii) programmable non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a second selection of information comprising data representing one or more in-game attributes of a corresponding virtual character or object in said computer-animated game;
(iv) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said microprocessor and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications include at least said second selection of information; and
(v) an antenna electrically coupled to said RF transceiver and configured to be wirelessly energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field to thereby electrically power said gaming toy; and
wherein said at least one modular component further comprises an internal cavity and wherein said microprocessor, said non-volatile memory, said programmable non-volatile memory, said RF transceiver, and said antenna are all disposed within said internal cavity and encapsulated within said at least one modular component.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that connects both physical and virtual play environments and includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a physical gaming item such as a toy from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase that provides virtual play via computer animation. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant'"'"'s experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use and improve the physical gaming item to help achieve one or more special effects or complete one or more adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel or other face-off challenge.
1418 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming toy for playing a game that combines both physical and virtual gameplay elements, said gaming toy comprising:
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a plurality of modular components configured to be selectively and detachably assembled by a game participant to form a doll, action figure or object relevant to a computer-animated game played by said game participant on a compatible gaming platform; at least one of said modular components comprising;
(i) a microprocessor;
(ii) non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier uniquely identifying said gaming toy within said computer-animated game;
(iii) programmable non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a second selection of information comprising data representing one or more in-game attributes of a corresponding virtual character or object in said computer-animated game;
(iv) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said microprocessor and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications include at least said second selection of information; and
(v) an antenna electrically coupled to said RF transceiver and configured to be wirelessly energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field to thereby electrically power said gaming toy; andwherein said at least one modular component further comprises an internal cavity and wherein said microprocessor, said non-volatile memory, said programmable non-volatile memory, said RF transceiver, and said antenna are all disposed within said internal cavity and encapsulated within said at least one modular component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A wireless gaming system combining physical toys and virtual gameplay, said wireless gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of modular components configured to be selectively and detachably assembled by a game participant to form a first gaming toy configured to be used by said game participant as a player tracking device in an associated computer-animated game carried out on a compatible gaming platform, said first gaming toy comprising a first radio frequency (RF) transponder comprising a first unique identifier uniquely identifying said first gaming toy and non-volatile programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information comprising selected progress or achievements of said game participant in said computer-animated game; a second gaming toy configured to be used by said game participant in conjunction with said first gaming toy to selectively access one or more optional features of said computer-animated game, said second gaming toy comprising a second RF transponder comprising a second unique identifier uniquely identifying said second gaming toy and non-volatile memory configured to store a second selection of information relevant to said one or more optional features; and a wireless reader configured to;
i) wirelessly power and communicate with each of said first and second RF transponders, ii) ascertain from said first and second RF transponders said corresponding first and second selections of information, iii) communicate said first and second selections of information to said compatible gaming platform, and iv) cause said first selection of information to be stored in said non-volatile programmable memory of said first RF transponder based on said selected progress or achievements of said game participant in said computer-animated game. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gaming toy for playing a game that combines both physical and virtual gameplay elements, said gaming toy comprising:
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a plurality of modular components configured to be selectively and detachably assembled by a game participant to form a doll, action figure or object relevant to a computer-animated game played by a game participant on a compatible gaming platform; at least one of said modular components comprising;
(i) a microprocessor;
(ii) non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier uniquely identifying said gaming toy within said computer-animated game;
(iii) programmable non-volatile memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor and storing a second selection of information comprising data representing one or more in-game attributes of a corresponding virtual character or object in said computer-animated game;
(iv) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said microprocessor and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications include at least said second selection of information; and
(v) an antenna electrically coupled to said RF transceiver and configured to be wirelessly energized by an externally-generated electromagnetic field to thereby electrically power said gaming toy; andwherein said at least one modular component further comprises an internal cavity and wherein said microprocessor, said non-volatile memory, said programmable non-volatile memory, said RF transceiver, and said antenna are all disposed within said internal cavity and encapsulated within said at least one modular component. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification