Internet enabled multiply interconnectable environmentally interactive character simulation module method and system

• US 20060172787A1
• Filed: 03/27/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conceptioneering Limited
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Riggs, Andrew J., Ellis, Anthony Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,556,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• 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 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• 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 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6063 for sound processing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6607 for animating game characters, e.g. skeleton kinematics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/004 : Artificial life, i.e. computing arrangements simulating life

Abstract

A simulated character module and method of operation are presented. The simulated character module includes a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor and a communication device operably coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to control a simulated character, and an image associated with the simulated character is displayable on the display. Further, the image is displayable on a second display of a second module to simulate movement of the simulated character to the second module. The module communicates via an electronic network with the second module using the communication device. The electronic network can be the Internet. Further, the image is not displayed on the display of the module if the image is displayed on the second display of the second module.

Claims

1. A module comprising:

a processor;

a display operably coupled to said processor; and

a communication device operably coupled to said processor, wherein said processor is configured to control a simulated character, wherein an image associated with the simulated character is displayable on said display, and wherein the image is displayable on a second display of a second module to simulate movement of the simulated character to the second module, wherein the module communicates with the second module via an electronic network using said communication device and wherein said display stops displaying the image if the image is displayed on the second display.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the electronic network is the Internet.

3. The module of claim 1, further comprising:

an orientation sensor operably coupled to said processor.

4. The module of claim 1, further comprising:

a sound sensor operably coupled to said processor.

5. The module of claim 1, further comprising:

a light sensor operably coupled to said processor.

6. The module of claim 1, further comprising:

a time device operably coupled to said processor.

7. A method of operating a module comprising:

simulating a character;

displaying a representation of the character on a display of the module;

operably connecting the module with a second module, wherein the module and the second module communicate via an electronic network; and

simulating movement of the character to the second module, wherein simulating movement includes displaying the representation of the character on a second display of the second module, and wherein simulating movement includes not displaying the representation of the character on the display of the module if the representation of the character is displayed on the second display of the second module.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the electronic network is the Internet.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein simulating said character includes receiving input from an orientation sensor.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein simulating said character includes receiving input from a sound sensor.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein simulating said character includes receiving input from a light sensor.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein simulating said character includes receiving input from a time device.

13. A method of providing a simulated environment comprising:

providing a plurality of modules, wherein each of the plurality of modules includes a processor, a communications device operably coupled to the processor and a display device operably coupled to the processor, wherein at least one of the plurality of modules is capable of being connected with at least two others of the plurality of modules, wherein connecting the one of the plurality of modules and the at least two others of the plurality of modules creates or modifies the simulated environment and wherein at least one of the three modules connected to create or modify the simulated environment is capable of communicating with at least one other of the plurality of modules via an electronic network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the connected modules is associated with a simulated character

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic network is the Internet.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of modules are operable to affect play of a game.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein play of the game is at least partly conducted by connecting additional modules to an interconnected group of modules, wherein the interconnected group of modules includes the one of the plurality of modules and the at least two others of the plurality of modules.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the three connected modules are operable to simulate movement of a simulated character from one of the three connected modules to another of the three connected modules.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the three connected modules includes a orientation sensor operably coupled to the processor.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the three connected modules includes a light sensor operably coupled to the processor.