TOY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INTERACTIVE PLAY EXPERIENCE
First Claim
1. A toy device for use in interactive game play, said toy device comprising:
- an elongated body having distal and proximal ends;
a wireless transmitter;
a first motion-sensitive element and a second motion-sensitive element each coupled to said body, wherein said first and second motion-sensitive elements are configured to generate respective first and second signals in response to movement of said body in at least one direction; and
a processor in communication with said first and second motion-sensitive elements so as to receive said first and second signals, wherein said processor is configured to determine a duration of time between receiving the first signal and receiving the second signal, and wherein said processor is further configured to cause the wireless transmitter to output a third signal based on said first signal, said second signal and said duration of time, said third signal being adapted to trigger or control at least one effect.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a unique interactive play experience carried out utilizing a toy “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device. In one embodiment the wand incorporates a wireless transmitter and motion-sensitive circuitry adapted to actuate the transmitter in response to particular learned wand motions. The wand allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment simply by pointing, touching and/or using their wands in a particular manner to achieve desired goals or produce desired effects. Various wireless receivers or actuators are distributed throughout the play facility to support such wireless interaction and to facilitate full immersion in a fantasy experience in which participants can enjoy the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic.
231 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A toy device for use in interactive game play, said toy device comprising:
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an elongated body having distal and proximal ends; a wireless transmitter; a first motion-sensitive element and a second motion-sensitive element each coupled to said body, wherein said first and second motion-sensitive elements are configured to generate respective first and second signals in response to movement of said body in at least one direction; and a processor in communication with said first and second motion-sensitive elements so as to receive said first and second signals, wherein said processor is configured to determine a duration of time between receiving the first signal and receiving the second signal, and wherein said processor is further configured to cause the wireless transmitter to output a third signal based on said first signal, said second signal and said duration of time, said third signal being adapted to trigger or control at least one effect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of generating control signals for use in generating one or more effects during interactive game play, said method comprising:
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sensing with a first motion-sensitive device and a second motion-sensitive device at least one motion of an object having an elongated body, wherein said first and second motion-sensitive devices are disposed within said object; outputting with said first motion-sensitive device a first signal indicative of the at least one motion of said object; outputting with said second motion-sensitive device a second signal indicative of the at least one motion of said object; determining a duration of time between the outputting of said first signal and the outputting of said second signal; and transmitting at least one wireless signal to a receiver so as to trigger or control one or more effects, wherein said wireless signal is derived from information from said first signal, said second signal and said duration of time. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A toy device for use in interactive game play, said toy device comprising:
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first means for sensing a first motion of a first end of an elongated body of the toy device; second means for sensing a second motion of a second end of the elongated body of the toy device, wherein said first and second sensing means are operably coupled to, respectively, said first and second ends of the elongated body; means for determining a duration of time between a sensing of the first motion by said first sensing means and a sensing of the second motion by said second sensing means; and means for transmitting at least one wireless signal to a remote receiver so as to trigger or control one or more play effects remote to the toy device, wherein said at least one wireless signal is derived from information from said first signal, said second signal and said duration of time. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification