System and method for playing an interactive game
DCFirst Claim
1. A wireless game token for enabling a game participant to securely access one or more restricted portions or features of a game played on a compatible gaming device, said wireless game token comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:
- an antenna configured to be energized by an RFID reader associated with a computerized gaming device comprising a personal computer, home game console or portable gaming device;
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and
non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a unique identification number; and
(ii) at least one access code that is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm with at least a first encryption key comprising said unique identification number;
wherein said at least one access code is configured to be decrypted using a key-based decryption algorithm with at least a second encryption key that is different than said first encryption key; and
wherein said at least one access code is configured, when decrypted and communicated to said computerized gaming device, to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of a game that would otherwise be inaccessible to said game participant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic “swipe” strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, the game can seamlessly transcend from one play environment and/or entertainment medium to the next.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless game token for enabling a game participant to securely access one or more restricted portions or features of a game played on a compatible gaming device, said wireless game token comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:
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an antenna configured to be energized by an RFID reader associated with a computerized gaming device comprising a personal computer, home game console or portable gaming device; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a unique identification number; and
(ii) at least one access code that is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm with at least a first encryption key comprising said unique identification number;wherein said at least one access code is configured to be decrypted using a key-based decryption algorithm with at least a second encryption key that is different than said first encryption key; and wherein said at least one access code is configured, when decrypted and communicated to said computerized gaming device, to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of a game that would otherwise be inaccessible to said game participant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wireless toy for playing an interactive game on a compatible gaming platform, said wireless toy comprising:
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a portable body configured to be held by a game participant and selectively moved or positioned within a physical play environment; and a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed within said portable body and comprising; an antenna configured to be energized when said wireless toy is selectively positioned within range of an RFID reader associated with said compatible gaming platform; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a unique identification number, (ii) game-relevant information comprising selected powers or abilities of a corresponding game character associated with said wireless toy in a computer-animated game played by said game participant on said compatible gaming platform, and (iii) at least one access code; andwherein said at least one access code is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm with at least a first encryption key comprising said unique identification number, and wherein said at least one access code is configured to be decrypted using a key-based decryption algorithm with at least a second encryption key that is different than said first encryption key, and wherein said at least one access code is configured, when decrypted and communicated to said compatible gaming platform, to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of said computer-animated game that would otherwise be inaccessible. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An RFID-tagged gaming item for playing a game on a compatible gaming device, said RFID-tagged gaming item comprising:
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a portable body configured to be held by a game participant and selectively moved or positioned within a physical play environment; and a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed within said portable body and comprising; an antenna configured to be energized when said RFID-tagged gaming item is selectively positioned within a communication range of an RFID reader associated with said compatible gaming device; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a unique identification number, (ii) game-relevant information comprising selected powers or abilities of a corresponding game character associated with said RFID-tagged gaming item in a computer-animated game played by said game participant on said compatible gaming device, and (iii) at least one access code configured to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of said computer-animated game that would otherwise be inaccessible; andwherein said at least one access code is encrypted using a multi-key encryption algorithm with at least a first encryption key that is stored in said non-volatile memory, and wherein said at least one access code is configured to be decrypted using a multi-key decryption algorithm with at least a second encryption key that is different than said first encryption key. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification