Interactive video game system comprising toys with rewritable memories

• US 9,486,702 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2014
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Reiche, Paul, West, Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US14/493,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20150038229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 463 31- 42, 446/175
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• 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 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the 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 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to a video game system comprising a video game console and an object or toy used in connection with the video game console, wherein the object or toy has a rewritable data storage device, and wherein the video game console stores information in the rewritable data storage device in response to game play events occurring in a first gaming session. The stored information is subsequently retrieved by the video game console in a second gaming session, and the retrieved information is used to conduct the game play of the second gaming session.

Claims

1. A method useful in providing video game play using a game device, comprising:

providing for video game play, by the game device in which a first virtual game character, controlled by a user using user inputs, encounters a second virtual game character, the first virtual game character representative of a first toy in communication with the game device;

determining if the first virtual game character defeats the second virtual game character during video game play; and

in response to the first virtual game character defeating the second virtual game character, storing information of the second virtual game character for later control of the second virtual game character during video game play by the user using the user inputs.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the second virtual game character is stored in memory of the first toy.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first toy stores information of the first virtual game character, and further comprising loading information of the first virtual game character from the first toy into the game device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first toy stores information of the first virtual game character, and wherein the information of the second virtual game character is stored, in response to the first virtual game character defeating the second virtual character, in memory of a second toy.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second toy includes a display, and further comprising displaying a representation of the second virtual game character on the display.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second toy includes an audio output, and further comprising outputting audio information representative of the second virtual game character from the audio output of the second toy.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the second virtual game character is an identification of the second virtual game character.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the information of the second virtual game character includes information of characteristics of the second virtual game character.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the defeat of the second virtual game character is defeat of the second virtual game character in a battle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second virtual game character is controlled by video game instructions of the video game.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second virtual game character is controlled by another user using user inputs.