System and method for playing an interactive game

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016184701-A1
Application number	US-201615009555-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 28, 2016
Priority date	Apr 5, 2002
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic “swipe” strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like. In this manner, the game can seamlessly transcend from one play environment and/or entertainment medium to the next.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A wireless game token for enabling a game participant to securely access one or more restricted portions or features of a game played on a compatible gaming device, said wireless game token comprising a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:
an antenna configured to be energized by an RFID reader associated with a computerized gaming device comprising a personal computer, home game console or portable gaming device; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and non-volatile memory storing: (i) a unique identification number; and (ii) at least one access code that is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm with at least a first encryption key comprising said unique identification number; wherein said at least one access code is configured to be decrypted using a key-based decryption algorithm with at least a second encryption key that is different than said first encryption key; and wherein said at least one access code is configured, when decrypted and communicated to said computerized gaming device, to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of a game that would otherwise be inaccessible to said game participant.

22 . The wireless game token of claim 21 , wherein said game token depicts or represents a person or character relevant to said game.

23 . The wireless game token of claim 21 , further comprising a printed access code configured to enable said game participant to access said one or more portions or features of said game by manually entering said printed access code into said computerized gaming device.

24 . The wireless game token of claim 21 , further comprising an LCD display configured to display said at least one access code.

25 . The wireless game token of claim 21 in combination with said RFID reader.

26 . The wireless game token of claim 21 in combination with game software comprising program instructions stored in a non-transient medium configured to cause or direct said computerized gaming device to generate a computer-animated play environment comprising: (i) a first game play experience in accordance with a first portion of said game, (ii) a second game play experience in accordance with a second portion of said game, and (iii) wherein said at least one access code is required to access said second game play experience.

27 . The wireless game token of claim 21 in combination with one or more RFID-tagged toys, each RFID-tagged toy comprising: a passive RFID tag configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader, a unique identification number uniquely identifying said corresponding RFID-tagged toy, and non-volatile programmable memory configured to store selected game-relevant information comprising progress or development of a corresponding game character played by said game participant in said game.

28 . A wireless toy for playing an interactive game on a compatible gaming platform, said wireless toy comprising:
a portable body configured to be held by a game participant and selectively moved or positioned within a physical play environment; and a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed within said portable body and comprising:
an antenna configured to be energized when said wireless toy is selectively positioned within range of an RFID reader associated with said compatible gaming platform;
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and
non-volatile memory storing: (i) a unique identification number, (ii) game-relevant information comprising selected powers or abilities of a corresponding game character associated with said wireless toy in a computer-animated game played by said game participant on said compatible gaming platform, and (iii) at least one access code; and
wherein said at least one access code is encrypted using a key-based encryption algorithm with at least a first encryption key comprising said unique identification number, and wherein said at least one access code is configured to be decrypted using a key-based decryption algorithm with at least a second encryption key that is different than said first encryption key, and wherein said at least one access code is configured, when decrypted and communicated to said compatible gaming platform, to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of said computer-animated game that would otherwise be inaccessible.

29 . The wireless toy of claim 28 , further comprising a printed access code configured to enable said game participant to access said one or more portions or features of said computer-animated game by manually entering said printed access code into said compatible gaming platform.

30 . The wireless toy of claim 28 , wherein said portable body is configured in the shape of a toy magic wand.

31 . The wireless toy of claim 28 in combination with game software comprising program instructions stored in a non-transient medium configured to cause or direct said compatible gaming platform to generate a virtual play environment comprising: (i) a first game play experience in accordance with a first portion of said computer-animated game, (ii) a second game play experience in accordance with a second portion of said computer-animated game, and (iii) wherein said at least one access code is required to access at least said second game play experience.

32 . The wireless toy of claim 28 , further comprising non-volatile programmable memory configured to store additional game-relevant information comprising progress or development of said corresponding game character in said computer-animated game.

33 . An RFID-tagged gaming item for playing a game on a compatible gaming device, said RFID-tagged gaming item comprising:
a portable body configured to be held by a game participant and selectively moved or positioned within a physical play environment; and a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed within said portable body and comprising:
an antenna configured to be energized when said RFID-tagged gaming item is selectively positioned within a communication range of an RFID reader associated with said compatible gaming device;
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver electrically coupled to said antenna and configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communications with said RFID reader and wherein said short-range two-way wireless communications are facilitated at least in part through inductive coupling between said antenna and said RFID reader; and
non-volatile memory storing: (i) a unique identification number, (ii) game-relevant information comprising selected powers or abilities of a corresponding game character associated with said RFID-tagged gaming item in a computer-animated game played by said game participant on said compatible gaming device, and (iii) at least one access code configured to enable a game participant to access one or more portions or features of said computer-animated game

Assignees

• Mq Gaming Llc

Inventors

• Weston Denise Chapman
• Barney Jonathan A

Classifications

• A63F13/80

  Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode · CPC title

• A63F13/95

  Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges · CPC title

• A63F13/71

  using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players · CPC title

• A63F2300/636

  involving process of starting or resuming a game · CPC title

• A63F13/21

  characterised by their sensors, purposes or types · CPC title