ELETRONIC GAME SYSTEM WITH CHARACTER UNITS

• US 20080085773A1
• Filed: 10/09/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Wood, Ethan
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/00 Dolls puppets or marionettes for shows or theatres A63J19/006

Abstract

An electronic game system is provided. The system can include a base station operable to communicate with an electronic system and a first character unit operable to communicate with the base station. The first character unit stores first data associated with a first character. The system can also include a second character unit operable to communicate with the base station. The second character unit stores second data associated with a second character. The first data and second data are utilized to play a game using the electronic system. The first character unit can have a substantially similar appearance to the first character in the game. The base station also can have a character appearance. The first character unit can be removably attachable to the base station at an exterior or interior portion of a body part of the character appearance such as a head, a limb and a torso. The second character unit can be attached to the base station at the same time.

Claims

1. An electronic game system comprising:

a base station operable to communicate with an electronic system; and

a first character unit operable to communicate with the base station, the first character unit storing first data associated with a first character, wherein the first character unit has a substantially similar appearance to the first character in the game.

2. The electronic game system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second character unit operable to communicate with the base station, the second character unit storing second data associated with a second character, wherein the first data and second data are utilized to play a game using the electronic system.

3. The electronic game system of claim 2, wherein the base station has a character appearance.

4. The electronic game system of claim 3, wherein the first character unit is removably attachable to the base station.

5. The electronic game system of claim 4, wherein the first character unit is removably attachable to the base station at an exterior or interior portion of a body part of the character appearance selected from the group consisting of a head, a limb and a torso.

6. The electronic game system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to enable the first character unit and the second character unit to be attached to the base station at the same time.

7. The electronic game system of claim 6, wherein the base station is configured to enable the first character unit and the second character unit to be attached to the base station at the same time and at the same body part of the character appearance.

8. The electronic game system of claim 1, wherein the first character unit is removably attachable to a USB port of the base station.

9. The electronic game system of claim 1, wherein the game is an Internet based game.

10. The electronic game system of claim 1, wherein the first character unit is coupled to the base unit by one or more contacts.

11. The electronic game system of claim 10, wherein the base station is removably attachable to a USB port of the electronic system.

12. A character unit comprising:

a housing configured to resemble a character in a game;

a communication device operable to communicate with an electronic system, wherein the electronic system is used to play the game and wherein the electronic system is in communication with a network; and

a memory unit configured to store data associated with the character, wherein the data is used to play the game, wherein the game includes a game world having an area associated with the character and viewable by a plurality of players of the game via the network.

13. The character unit of claim 12, wherein the communication device communicates with the electronic system through a base station.

14. The character unit of claim 13, wherein the character unit is removably attachable to a USB port of the base station.

15. The character unit of claim 12, wherein the network is the Internet.

16. The character unit of claim 12, wherein the character can accumulate virtual items by playing the game and wherein the virtual items can be displayed to the plurality of players in the area.

17. A base station comprising:

a housing;

a first communication device operable to communicate with an electronic system, wherein the electronic system is used to play a game and wherein the electronic system is in communication with a network; and

a second communication device operable to communicate with a first character unit, the first character unit being configured to resemble a first character in the game and storing first data associated with the first character, wherein the first data is used to play the game.

18. The base station of claim 17, wherein the first character unit is removably connectable to a USB port or one or more electronic contacts of the base station.

19. The base station of claim 17, wherein the housing is shaped similarly to the first character unit and wherein the base station further comprises:

a third communication device operable to communicate with a second character unit, the second character unit being configured to resemble a second character in the game and storing second data associated with the second character, wherein the second data is used to play the game.

20. The base station of claim 19, further comprising:

a first USB port or first set of one or more electronic contacts operable to connect to the first character unit, the first USB port or first set of one or more electronic contacts being located at an exterior or interior portion of a body part of the housing selected from the group consisting of a head, a limb and a torso; and

a second USB port or second set of electronic contacts operable to connect to the second character unit, the second USB port or second set of electronic contacts being located at a same body part as the first USB port or first set of electronic contacts.