Interactive gaming toy

• US 10,583,357 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2018
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Inventors: Barney, Jonathan A., Weston, Denise C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US15/972,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20190009171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/04 Card games combined with other games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• 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 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• 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 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00665 : using inductance
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00826 : Changeable playing pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 : by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2492 : Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2011/0072 : Indicating values other than scores, e.g. handicap, initial settings, coefficients
• 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 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 : being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 : Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 : involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 : using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/16 : made of parts that can be put together facial parts only A63H3/365
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/46 : Connections for limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 : Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

An interactive gaming toy is provided for playing a game having both physical and virtual gameplay elements. The gaming toy comprises a physical toy, such as a toy wand, doll or action figure, having an RFID tag pre-programmed with a unique identifier that identifies the toy within an associated computer-animated game. The RFID tag stores information describing certain attributes or abilities of a corresponding virtual character or object in the computer-animated game. Additional information may be stored on the RFID tag as the corresponding virtual character evolves or changes over time based on player performance and/or gameplay progression. The interactive gaming toy thus allows developed character attributes and the like to be stored and easily transported to other games and compatible gaming platforms. One or more optional auxiliary components may be attached to the gaming toy to selectively create a modified gaming toy having additional desired functionality and/or aesthetics.

Claims

1. A gaming toy for playing a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform, said gaming toy comprising:

a toy body corresponding to a character or object in said computer-animated game, said toy body having an internal cavity configured to house one or more electrical components and associated circuitry;

a microprocessor and associated non-volatile memory disposed within said internal cavity, said non-volatile memory storing;

(1) a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier that uniquely identifies said gaming toy, and

(2) a second selection of information that identifies certain powers or abilities of said corresponding character or object in said computer-animated game;

a motion sensing element that generates first sensor state data responsive to one or more sensed motions of said toy body;

a touch sensing element that generates second sensor state data responsive to sensed touching of a user'"'"'s finger thereon; and

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate said first and second selections of information and said first and second sensor state data to said compatible gaming platform.

2. The gaming toy of claim 1, wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 centimeters.

3. The gaming toy of claim 2, wherein said RF transceiver comprises a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder.

4. The gaming toy of claim 1, wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 40 feet.

5. The gaming toy of claim 1, wherein said second selection of information comprises upgraded powers or abilities earned by a game participant in said computer-animated game.

6. The gaming toy of claim 1, wherein said motion sensing element is selected from the group consisting of a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, and an accelerometer.

7. The gaming toy of claim 1, further comprising an attachment interface configured to removably secure an auxiliary component comprising a corresponding mating attachment interface.

8. A gaming toy for playing a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform, said gaming toy comprising:

a toy body corresponding to a character or object in said computer-animated game, said toy body having an internal cavity configured to house one or more electrical components and associated circuitry;

a microprocessor and associated non-volatile memory disposed within said internal cavity, said non-volatile memory storing;

(1) a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier that uniquely identifies said gaming toy, and

(2) a second selection of information that identifies or describes certain powers or abilities of said corresponding character or object in said computer-animated game;

a first motion sensing element that generates first sensor state data responsive to one or more first sensed motions of said toy body;

a second motion sensing element that generates second sensor state data responsive to one or more second sensed motions of said toy body;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate said first and second selections of information and said first and second sensor state data to said compatible gaming platform; and

an effects generator configured to produce one or more light, vibration or sound effects based on information received by said RF transceiver from said compatible gaming platform.

9. The gaming toy of claim 8, wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 40 feet.

10. The gaming toy of claim 8, wherein said second selection of information identifies or describes certain upgraded powers or abilities earned by a game participant in said computer-animated game.

11. The gaming toy of claim 8, wherein said first and second motion sensing elements are selected from the group consisting of a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, and an accelerometer.

12. The gaming toy of claim 8, further comprising an attachment interface configured to removably secure an auxiliary component comprising a mating attachment interface.

13. The gaming toy of claim 12, in combination with said auxiliary component, and wherein said auxiliary component comprises non-volatile memory storing a third selection of information that identifies or describes certain upgraded powers or abilities of said corresponding character or object in said computer-animated game.

14. A gaming toy for playing a computer-animated game on a compatible gaming platform, said gaming toy comprising:

a toy body corresponding to a character or object in said computer-animated game;

a microprocessor;

non-volatile memory storing;

(1) a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier that uniquely identifies said gaming toy, and

(2) a second selection of information that identifies or describes certain powers or abilities of said corresponding character or object in said computer-animated game;

a motion sensing element that generates first sensor state data responsive to one or more sensed motions of said toy body;

a touch sensing element that generates second sensor state data responsive to sensed touching of a user'"'"'s finger thereon;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate said first and second selections of information and said first and second sensor state data to said compatible gaming platform; and

an effects generator configured to produce one or more light, vibration or sound effects based on information received by said RF transceiver from said compatible gaming platform.

15. The gaming toy of claim 14 wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with said compatible gaming platform over a wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 40 feet.

16. The gaming toy of claim 14, wherein said second selection of information identifies or describes certain upgraded powers or abilities earned by a game participant in said computer-animated game.

17. The gaming toy of claim 14, wherein said motion sensing element is selected from the group consisting of a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, and an accelerometer.

18. The gaming toy of claim 14, wherein said attachment interface comprises a magnet.

19. The gaming toy of claim 14, further comprising an attachment interface configured to removably secure an auxiliary component comprising a mating attachment interface.

20. The gaming toy of claim 19, in combination with said auxiliary component, and wherein said auxiliary component comprises non-volatile memory storing a third selection of information that identifies or describes certain upgraded powers or abilities of said corresponding character or object in said computer-animated game.