WIRELESS ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

• US 20170348593A1
• Filed: 06/21/2017
• Published: 12/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Inventors: Barney, Jonathan A., Weston, Denise Chapman
• Granted Patent: US 10,179,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• 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 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• 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 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/497 Partially or entirely replaying previous game actions
• 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 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2402 Input by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2429 IC card, chip card, smart card
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2433 Voice-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2452 : as a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/248 : Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 : by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/485 : using a handle
• 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 2300/1056 : involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 : comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 : the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 : Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 : Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 : Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 : Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 : Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/18 : Use of optical transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 : Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 : using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP

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.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A gaming system for playing a game carried out in both a virtual play environment via one or more computer animations and in a physical play environment via one or more physical toys, said gaming system comprising:

at least one gaming toy comprising a portable body configured to be moved or positioned selectively by a game participant as part of said game, said portable body having an internal cavity storing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier and non-volatile programmable memory configured to store a first selection of information identifying or describing a corresponding virtual game character or object;

an intermediary gaming device configured to be communicatively coupled to a compatible game console, said intermediary gaming device comprising;

(i) an RFID reader configured to wirelessly power and communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 60 centimeters, (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; and

non-transitory storage storing game software configured to be executed by said game console, said game software comprising program instructions that, when executed, cause said intermediary gaming device to ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, and cause said game console to display in said virtual play environment one or more computer animations representing said corresponding virtual game character or object.

3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein said RFID tag comprises a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way RF communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range greater than 1 centimeter and less than 25 centimeters, and an antenna electrically coupled to said RF transceiver configured to be energized through inductive coupling with said RFID reader to thereby power at least said RF transceiver.

4. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, enable said game participant to control said game at least in part by selectively positioning said gaming toy within said limited communication range of said RFD reader.

5. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that;

when executed, cause said intermediary gaming device to store in said non-volatile programmable memory a second selection of information identifying or describing one or more in-game attributes of said corresponding virtual game character or object.

6. The gaming system of claim 2, further comprising a first gaming toy corresponding to a virtual game character and a second gaming toy corresponding to a virtual game object;

and wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, enable said game participant to control said game at least in part by selectively positioning said first or second gaming toys within said limited communication range of said RFID reader.

7. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, cause said effects controller to activate a first sound effect or first lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a first set of conditions and a second sound effect or second lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a second set of conditions, and wherein said first set of conditions is different than said second set of conditions, and wherein said first sound effect or first lighting effect is different than said second sound effect or second lighting effect.

8. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein said communication interface comprises at least one of:

(i) a cable interface configured to communicate with said game console through a wired connection, and (ii) a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with said game console through a wireless RF communication link.

9. A gaming system for playing a game wherein a game participant uses one or more physical toys to interact with a virtual play environment displayed on a compatible game console, said gaming system comprising:

at least one gaming toy configured to be moved or positioned selectively by said game participant as part of said game, said gaming toy having an internal cavity containing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier and non-volatile memory storing a first selection of information identifying or describing a corresponding virtual game character or object;

an RFID reader configured to be communicatively coupled to said game console, said RFID reader comprising;

(i) a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 25 centimeters, (ii) a communication interface configured to communicate information to and from said game console, and (iii) an effects controller configured to actuate or control one or more associated sound effects or lighting effects; and

non-transitory storage storing game software comprising program instructions that, when executed;

(i) cause said RFID reader to ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, (ii) cause said game console to display in said virtual play environment one or more computer animations depicting said corresponding virtual game character or object, and (iii) cause said effects controller to actuate or control said one or more associated sound effects or lighting effects in accordance with said game.

10. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein said RFID reader is configured to wirelessly power and provide two-way wireless communications with said RFID tag over a limited communication range greater than 1 centimeter and less than 25 centimeters, and wherein said two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said RFID tag and said RFID reader.

11. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, enable said game participant to control said game at least in part by selectively placing said gaming toy within said limited communication range of said RF transceiver.

12. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein said non-volatile memory is programmable and wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, cause said RFID reader to store in said non-volatile memory a second selection of information identifying or describing one or more in-game attributes of said corresponding virtual game character or object.

13. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, cause said effects controller to actuate a first sound effect or first lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a first set of conditions and actuate a second sound effect or second lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a second set of conditions, and wherein said first set of conditions is different than said second set of conditions.

14. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein said communication interface comprises a cable interface configured to communicate with said game console through a wired connection.

15. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein said communication interface comprises a second RF transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said game console over a wireless communication range greater than 10 meters and less than 100 meters.

16. A gaming system for playing a game carried out in both a virtual play environment and a physical play environment, said gaming system comprising:

at least one portable token configured to be moved or positioned by a game participant as part of said game, said portable token having an internal cavity containing a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, said RFID tag comprising a unique tag identifier and non-volatile programmable memory storing a first selection of information identifying a corresponding virtual game character or object;

an RFID reader/writer unit configured to be communicatively coupled to a compatible game console, said RFID reader/writer unit comprising;

(i) a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said RFID tag over a limited communication range of less than 60 centimeters, (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; and

non-transitory storage storing game software configured to be executed by said game console, said game software comprising program instructions that, when executed;

(i) cause said RFID reader/writer unit to ascertain said first selection of information from said RFID tag, (ii) cause said game console to display in said virtual play environment one or more computer animations depicting said corresponding virtual game character or object, and (iii) cause said effects controller to activate said one or more sound effects or lighting effects in accordance with said game.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way RF communications with said RFID tag over a limited communication range greater than 1 centimeter and less than 25 centimeters, and wherein said two-way RF communications are facilitated through inductive coupling between said RFID tag and said RFID reader/writer unit.

18. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, enable said game participant to control said game at least in part by selectively positioning said portable token within said limited communication range of said RF transceiver.

19. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, cause said RFID reader/writer unit to store in said non-volatile programmable memory a second selection of information identifying or describing one or more in-game attributes of said corresponding virtual game character or object.

20. The gaming system of claim 16, further comprising a first portable token depicting or representing a first virtual game character or object in said game and a second portable token depicting or representing a second virtual game character or object in said game, and wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, enable said game participant to control said game at least in part by selectively positioning said first or second portable tokens within said limited communication range of said RF transceiver.

21. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said game software further comprises additional program instructions that, when executed, cause said effects controller to activate a first sound effect or first lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a first set of conditions and a second sound effect or second lighting effect when said first selection of information satisfies a second set of conditions, and wherein said first set of conditions is different than said second set of conditions, and wherein said first sound effect or first lighting effect is different than said second sound effect or second lighting effect.