Motion-sensitive controller and associated gaming applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9707478-B2
Application number	US-201213725899-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2012
Priority date	Mar 25, 2003
Publication date	Jul 18, 2017
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017

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. One or more optional auxiliary components modularly attach to the input device to selectively create a modified input device having different desired functions or aesthetics.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wireless motion-sensitive input device for use with a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising at least one of a live-action game, computer game, video game or home gaming console, said input device comprising:
a base component sized and configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user to play or operate a game at least in part by moving the entire body of said base component in free space, said base component comprising an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end configured to be grasped by said single hand of a user to a second end extending from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to accommodate one or more internal power sources and associated circuitry configured to power and operate said base component;
at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly assembled with said base component to enable a user to selectively create a modified input device having different or additional functional capabilities;
an arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data responsive to at least one sensed motion of said input device in free space;
an arrangement of one or more switches configured to generate switch data responsive to actuation by one or more fingers of said single hand of a user; and
electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with said wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising: i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said sensor data, and said switch data, and iv) a wireless receiver configured to receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising selected relevant gaming information.

2. The input device of claim 1 wherein said base component comprises a wireless wand input device configured to enable a user to single-handedly play or operate a computer-animated game carried out on said wireless-compatible gaming platform.

3. The input device of claim 1 wherein said arrangement of one or more switches comprises at least two finger-actuated switches sized and arranged so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of a user's single hand while simultaneously holding and moving the entire body of said base component in free space.

4. The input device of claim 3 wherein at least one of said finger-actuated switches comprises a touch-sensor element configured to generate switch data responsive to sensed touching of a user's finger thereon.

5. The input device of claim 1 wherein said arrangement of one or more sensors comprises multiple sensors disposed in said base component and in said at least one auxiliary component.

6. The input device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said electronic circuitry is disposed externally to said base component.

7. The input device of claim 1 wherein said at least one of sensed motion comprises rotational motion about the axis of elongation of said elongated body.

8. The input device of claim 1 wherein said arrangement of one or more sensors is selected from the group consisting of: a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, and an accelerometer.

9. The input device of claim 1 wherein said memory is further configured to store selected relevant gaming information pertaining to a role-play character associated with a game or a user of said input device.

10. The input device of claim 1 wherein said input device is configured in the shape, form or theme of a magic wand, a sword, a paint brush, a crayon, a paddle, a nunchuk, a bat, a ball, a book, a musical instrument, a fishing rod, a doll, an action figure, or a stuffed animal.

11. The input device of claim 1 wherein said input device is configured to generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect in response to receiving said one or more wireless signals comprising selected relevant gaming information.

12. The input device of claim 1 further comprising a display screen configured to display selected relevant gaming information.

13. The input device of claim 1 in combination with a wireless-compatible game console configured to produce computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects, said game console comprising: i) an address storage module configured to dynamically store multiple unique identifiers corresponding to multiple associated input devices; ii) an address comparator configured to recognize and distinguish wireless signals originating from said multiple associated input devices according to each corresponding unique identifier; and iii) a tracking system configured to track game progress or performance of each of a plurality of game participants using each said associated input device to play a game, based at least in part on each said recognized unique identifier.

14. The input device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless energy generator configured to generate useable energy from an externally-generated electromagnetic field.

15. The input device of claim 14 wherein said wireless energy generator comprises at least one inductance coil sized and arranged so as to generate pulses of electricity when exposed to said externally-generated electromagnetic field, and a rectifier electrically coupled to said at least one inductance coil arranged and adapted to convert said pulses of electricity into storable electrical energy adapted to be stored in said one or more internal power sources.

16. The input device of claim 1 wherein said wireless transmitter and said wireless receiver together comprise a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with a wireless-compatible device over a wireless communication range of at least 10 feet.

17. The input device of claim 16 wherein said RF transceiver is configured to establish a wireless communication link with a wireless-compatible gaming platform when said input device is operated within a wireless communication range of said wireless-compatible gaming platform, said wireless communication link being established at least in part by: i) receiving from said wireless-compatible gaming platform a first wireless communication that includes a first identification number identifying said wireless-compatible gaming platform, and ii) responding to said first wireless communication by transmitting a second wireless communication that includes said first identification number and a second identification number comprising said unique identifier of said input device.

18. The input device of claim 1 further comprising a transmit timer configured to cause said wireless transmitter to repeatedly or periodically transmit said one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said sensor data and said switch data.

19. The input device of claim 1 in combination with game software comprising program instructions stored on a non-transient medium that, when executed, are configured to direct or cause a wireless-compatible gaming platform to: i) conduct an interactive game in which a virtual play environment is visually and aurally represented through computer animation; ii) track the game progress or performance of a game participant playing said game based at least in part on identifying said one or more wireless signals transmitted by said input device; and ii

Assignees

• Creative Kingdoms Llc
• Mq Gaming Llc

Inventors

• Barney Jonathan A
• Weston Denise Chapman

Classifications

• A63F2009/248

  Magnetic · CPC title

• A63F13/497

  Partially or entirely replaying previous game actions · CPC title

• A63F2009/2429

  IC card, chip card, smart card · CPC title

• A63F2300/1031

  using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth®, infrared connections · CPC title

• A63F2009/2452

  as a signal · CPC title