Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
DCFirst Claim
1. A gaming system for playing a game wherein a game participant uses physical toys to interact with a computer-animated game played on a compatible game console, said gaming system comprising:
- a plurality of gaming toys each depicting or representing a different character or object in said computer-animated game, each said gaming toy comprising a body having an internal cavity and a passive radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag disposed therein, each said RFID tag comprising;
(i) a unique tag identification (ID), and (ii) non-volatile memory storing machine-readable data identifying or describing one or more in-game attributes of said corresponding character or object;
a peripheral device comprising;
(i) an RFID reader comprising memory storing instructions to communicate information with each said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm, (ii) a communication interface comprising memory storing instructions to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller comprising memory storing instructions to display one or more sound effects or lighting effects; and
non-transitory storage storing game software comprising program instructions configured to be executed by said game console to;
(i) cause said peripheral device to wirelessly ascertain said machine-readable data from each said RFID tag and communicate said machine-readable data to said game console, (ii) display in said computer-animated game one or more characters or objects having attributes corresponding to said machine-readable data, and (iii) cause said effects controller to display at least one sound effect or lighting effect and wherein said at least one sound effect or lighting effect is selected based at least in part on said machine-readable data.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming system for playing a game wherein a game participant uses physical toys to interact with a computer-animated game played on a compatible game console, said gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming toys each depicting or representing a different character or object in said computer-animated game, each said gaming toy comprising a body having an internal cavity and a passive radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag disposed therein, each said RFID tag comprising;
(i) a unique tag identification (ID), and (ii) non-volatile memory storing machine-readable data identifying or describing one or more in-game attributes of said corresponding character or object;a peripheral device comprising;
(i) an RFID reader comprising memory storing instructions to communicate information with each said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm, (ii) a communication interface comprising memory storing instructions to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller comprising memory storing instructions to display one or more sound effects or lighting effects; andnon-transitory storage storing game software comprising program instructions configured to be executed by said game console to;
(i) cause said peripheral device to wirelessly ascertain said machine-readable data from each said RFID tag and communicate said machine-readable data to said game console, (ii) display in said computer-animated game one or more characters or objects having attributes corresponding to said machine-readable data, and (iii) cause said effects controller to display at least one sound effect or lighting effect and wherein said at least one sound effect or lighting effect is selected based at least in part on said machine-readable data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A gaming system for playing a game wherein part of said game is carried out in a computer-generated play environment via one or more computer animations provided by a compatible game console, and part of said game is carried out in a physical play environment via one or more physical toys, said gaming system comprising:
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at least one gaming toy corresponding to a character or object in said game, said gaming toy comprising a body having an internal cavity containing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier, and non-volatile, programmable memory comprising a module with instructions to receive and then store a first selection of information identifying or describing one or more in-game attributes of said corresponding character or object; an intermediary gaming device comprising;
(i) an RFID reader configured to wirelessly communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range less than 60 cm, (ii) a communication interface configured to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller configured to activate one or more sound effects or lighting effects when said gaming toy is positioned within said limited communication range of said RFID reader; andnon-transitory storage storing game software configured to be executed by said game console, said game software comprising program instructions configured to;
(i) ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, (ii) display in said computer-generated play environment a character or object having attributes corresponding to said first selection of information, and (iii) cause said non-volatile, programmable memory to store a second selection of information identifying or describing one or more modified in-game attributes of said corresponding character or object. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gaming system for playing a game wherein part of said game is carried out in a computer-generated play environment comprising one or more computer animations provided by a game console, and part of said game is carried out in a physical play environment comprising one or more physical toys, said gaming system comprising:
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at least one gaming toy corresponding to a character or object in said game, said at least one gaming toy comprising a passive radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag comprising a first radiofrequency (RF) transceiver, and non-volatile memory storing;
(i) a first selection of information comprising a unique tag identifier, and (ii) a second selection of information comprising one or more attributes of said corresponding character or object;an RFID reader configured to be electrically coupled to said game console, said RFID reader comprising;
(i) a second RF transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said first RF transceiver over a limited communication range less than 60 cm, and (ii) a communication interface configured to communicate information to and from said game console;a digital camera configured to be electrically coupled to said game console; and non-transitory storage storing game software configured to be executed by said game console, said game software comprising program instructions configured to;
(i) ascertain said first and second selections of information from said RFID tag, (ii) display in said computer-generated play environment a character or object having attributes corresponding to said second selection of information, and (iii) cause said digital camera to capture one or more digital images of said physical play environment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification