Claims for Patent: 7,896,742

Summary for Patent: 7,896,742

Title:	Apparatus and methods for providing interactive entertainment
Abstract:	Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy \"wand\" from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant\'s experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.
Inventor(s):	Weston; Denise Chapman (Wakefield, RI), Barney; Jonathan A. (Newport Beach, CA)
Assignee:	Creative Kingdoms, LLC (Springfield, IL)
Application Number:	11/777,874
Patent Claims:	1. A toy wand for use in an interactive play environment, the toy wand comprising: an elongated body having a substantially tubular shape and distal and proximal ends, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity positioned along an axis extending through said distal and proximal ends; a first tilt sensor and a second tilt sensor disposed within said internal cavity of said elongated body, said first and second tilt sensors being arranged in substantially opposing orientations such that at least one of said first and second tilt sensors is in an inactive state whenever said elongated body is in a substantially static position and such that a first particular motion of said elongated body causes or enables each of said first and second tilt sensors to be in an active state at least momentarily during a duration of said first particular motion; a memory configured to store a unique identification associated with the toy wand; and a wireless transmitter electrically coupled to said first and second tilt sensors and to said memory and located within said elongated housing, said wireless transmitter being configured to transmit a first wireless signal in response to said first motion of said elongated body to one or more reader devices disposed within an interactive play environment to activate one or more play effects, said first wireless signal further comprising data indicative of said unique identification. 2. The toy wand of claim 1, wherein said first and second tilt sensors comprise, respectively, first and second ball switches. 3. The toy wand of claim 2, wherein said first and second ball switches are oriented in a transverse plane comprising said axis of said elongated body. 4. The toy wand of claim 2, wherein said first and second ball switches are separated by a distance of between approximately 8 and 12 centimeters along said axis of said elongated body. 5. The toy wand of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled between said wireless transmitter and said first and second tilt sensors and, said microprocessor being configured to detect the states of said first and second tilt sensors and, in response to said detection, control transmissions by said wireless transmitter. 6. The toy wand of claim 5, wherein said microprocessor is further configured to determine a period of time during which said first and second tilt sensors are both in an active state. 7. The toy wand of claim 6, wherein said microprocessor causes said wireless transmitter to transmit a specific value in said first wireless signal indicative of a length of said period of time during which said first and second tilt sensors are both in an active state. 8. The toy wand of claim 7, further comprising a lookup table that associates a plurality of values with a plurality of lengths of time, wherein said microprocessor is configured to access said lookup table to determine said specific value for said first wireless signal. 9. The toy wand of claim 5, wherein said first and second tilt sensors are connected in series to an input of said microprocessor such that an open circuit is created when at least one of said first and second tilt sensors is in an inactive state. 10. The toy wand of claim 1, further comprising a third sensor configured to detect a second motion of said elongated body, wherein said second motion is different than said first motion, and wherein said wireless transmitter is configured to transmit a second wireless signal in response to said second motion, wherein said second wireless signal is different than said first wireless signal. 11. The toy wand of claim 10, wherein said first motion includes imparting different transient acceleration forces on said distal and proximal ends of said elongated body. 12. The toy wand of claim 1, further comprising a timer for measuring a duration in which both said first and second tilt sensors are in an active state. 13. The toy wand of claim 1, wherein said first and second tilt sensors are spaced apart from one another by between approximately 3 centimeters and approximately 12 centimeters. 14. The toy wand of claim 1, wherein said first and second tilt sensors are spaced apart from one another by between approximately 3 centimeters and approximately 8 centimeters. 15. The toy wand of claim 1, wherein said first and second tilt sensors are spaced apart from one another by between approximately 8 centimeters and approximately 12 centimeters. 16. A toy wand for use in an interactive play environment, the toy wand comprising: an elongated housing having distal and proximal ends and an axis extending therethrough; a first tilt sensor and a second tilt sensor substantially enclosed within said elongated housing, each of said first and second tilt sensors being arranged in substantially opposing orientations such that at least one of said first and second tilt sensors is an off state whenever said elongated housing is in a substantially static position and such that one or more particular motions of said elongated housing causes or enables both of said first and second tilt sensors to be in an on state at least momentarily during a duration of said one or more particular motions; a wireless transceiver located proximate said distal end of said elongated housing; a memory that stores a unique identifier; and a microprocessor electrically coupled to said first and second tilt sensors and to said wireless transceiver, said microprocessor being configured to instruct said wireless transceiver to transmit a first wireless signal in response to said one or more particular motions of said elongated housing, said first wireless signal further comprising data indicative of said unique identifier. 17. The toy wand of claim 16, wherein said one or more particular motions comprises substantially circular movement of said distal end about the axis of said elongated housing. 18. The toy wand of claim 16, wherein said wireless transceiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver. 19. The toy wand of claim 18, wherein said memory comprises an RF identification (RFID) tag. 20. The toy wand of claim 16, wherein said wireless transceiver is configured to receive data indicative of a progress of a user of said toy wand in an interactive game. 21. The toy wand of claim 20, wherein said memory is configured to store said data indicative of said user progress. 22. The toy wand of claim 16, further comprising a switch module for detecting radial acceleration of at least a portion of said elongated housing. 23. The toy wand of claim 16, further comprising a timer for measuring a duration in which both said first and second tilt sensors are in an on state. 24. A motion-sensitive input device for use in an interactive play environment comprising a live-action game, a computer game, a video game or a home gaming console, the input device comprising: a base component comprising an elongated body having distal and proximal ends, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity positioned along an axis extending through said distal and proximal ends, said base component further comprising: a first arrangement of one or more sensors disposed within said internal cavity of said elongated body, said first arrangement of one or more sensors being arranged so as to generate a first input signal responsive to at least a first motion of said elongated body, a memory configured to store: (i) a unique identification associated with the input device, and (ii) selected information identifying or describing certain powers, abilities or attributes associated with a user of said input device and/or an imaginary character created by the user of said input device, an internal transmitter electrically coupled to said first arrangement of sensors, said internal transmitter being configured to transmit a first wireless signal containing information based at least in part on said first motion of said elongated body to one or more external receiver devices to activate or control one or more play effects, said first wireless signal further comprising data indicative of said unique identification, and an internal receiver capable of wireless communication with one or more external transmitter devices, said internal receiver being configured to receive from said one or more external transmitter devices a data signal containing information relevant to a game played by the user of said input device and/or information relevant to the imaginary character created by the user; and at least one auxiliary component configured and adapted to modularly attach to said base component, said at least one auxiliary component comprising a second arrangement of one or more sensors, said second arrangement of one or more sensors being arranged so as to generate a second input signal responsive to at least a second motion of said at least one auxiliary component, wherein said second motion is different than said first motion and said second input signal is different than said first input signal, and wherein said internal transmitter is further configured to transmit a second wireless signal containing information based at least in part on said first and second motions when said at least one auxiliary component is assembled with said base component, wherein said base component is further sized, configured and adapted to enable the user to hold and manipulate said base component by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said base component in a particular manner to control or activate said one or more play effects, and wherein said base component is further configured and adapted to modularly attach to the at least one auxiliary component for thereby allowing a user to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, abilities or aesthetics. 25. The input device of claim 24, wherein said at least one auxiliary component comprises a handle configured and adapted to modularly attach to the proximal end of said base component, said handle being further configured and adapted to be assembled substantially in axial alignment with said housing to thereby extend or lengthen said input device when said handle is modularly attached to said base component. 26. The input device of claim 24, wherein said input device, when modularly assembled, comprises a motion-sensitive toy themed according to a play theme of a particular game played by the user of said input device. 27. The input device of claim 26, wherein said input device, when modularly assembled, comprises at least one of the following motion-sensitive toys: magic wand, sword, staff, scepter, whip, paddle, nun chuck, cricket bat, baseball bat, sporting ball, musical instrument, flute, recorder, drum stick, rope, fishing rod, doll, action figure and stuffed animal. 28. The input device of claim 24, wherein said input device is further configured and adapted to produce light, vibration and/or sound effects in response to said received data signal from said one or more external transmitter devices. 29. The input device of claim 24, wherein said first or second arrangements of one or more sensors comprises at least one or more of the following: impact sensors, micro-sensors, gyro-sensors, force sensors, micro-switches, momentum sensors, gravity sensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors, orientation sensors and reed switches. 30. The input device of claim 24, wherein said second arrangement of one or more sensors is configured and arranged to sense axial rotation of said input device. 31. The input device of claim 24, wherein said memory stores information or attributes identifying or describing powers or abilities possessed by the imaginary character created by the user of said input device. 32. The input device of claim 24, wherein said memory stores information representing one or more purchases made by the user of said input device relevant to a particular game played by the user and/or the imaginary character created by the user. 33. The input device of claim 24, wherein said base component further comprises one or more user-activated switches, and wherein said base component is further sized, configured and adapted to enable the user to hold and manipulate said base component by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said base component in a particular manner while simultaneously activating one or more of said user-activated switches to thereby control or activate said one or more play effects. 34. The input device of claim 24, wherein said base component and/or said at least one auxiliary component further comprises a proximity sensor configured or adapted to detect a distance between said input device and an associated transmitter or receiver. 35. The input device of claim 34, wherein said base component and/or said at least one auxiliary component further comprises an alerting device configured or adapted to generate a perceptible signal when said proximity sensor detects a particular distance between said input device and the associated transmitter or receiver that is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance. 36. The input device of claim 24, wherein said base component and/or said at least one auxiliary component further comprises a voice-activation system responsive to particular voice commands of the user of said input device. 37. The input device of claim 24, in combination with a video game system for generating desired play effects comprising one or more computer-generated images displayed on one or more associated computer monitors, TV monitors, DVD display monitors, or gaming consoles, said video game system comprising at least one gaming console configured and adapted to play a game selected by the user and at least one motion-sensitive input device adapted to control or activate said one or more of said desired play effects. 38. The combination of claim 37, further comprising a proximity sensor operatively associated with either said at least one gaming console and/or said at least one input device, said proximity sensor being configured or adapted to detect a distance between said at least one input device and a transmitter or receiver associated with said video game system, and wherein at least one of said play effects cannot be controlled or activated by the user of said at least one input device when the detected distance is greater than a predetermined threshold distance. 39. The input device of claim 24, in combination with one or more additional auxiliary components packaged together as a kit and wherein said base component is further configured and adapted to be modularly and interchangeably assembled with each of said one or more of said additional auxiliary components for thereby allowing the user to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, abilities or aesthetics. 40. The input device of claim 24, in combination with one or more video games and wherein said input device, when modularly assembled, comprises a motion-sensitive toy themed according to a particular play theme associated with said one or more video games. 41. The combination of claim 40, wherein said input device, when modularly assembled, comprises one or more of the following motion-sensitive toys: magic wand, sword, staff, scepter, whip, paddle, nun chuck, cricket bat, baseball bat, sporting ball, musical instrument, flute, recorder, drum stick, rope, fishing rod, doll, action figure and stuffed animal. 42. A motion-sensitive wand for selectively controlling or activating one or more desired effects, said wand comprising: an elongated body having a substantially tubular shape and distal and proximal ends, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity positioned along a central axis extending through said distal and proximal ends; an arrangement of one or more sensors disposed within said internal cavity of said elongated body, said arrangement of one or more sensors being configured and arranged to generate a first input signal responsive to at least a first motion or orientation of said elongated body and a second input signal responsive to at least a second motion or orientation of said elongated body, wherein said first motion or orientation is different than said second motion or orientation, and wherein at least one of said first or second motions or orientations comprises axial rotation or angular orientation of said elongated body relative to said central axis of said elongated body; a microprocessor electrically coupled to said arrangement of one or more sensors, said microprocessor being configured to receive said first and second input signals and to provide an output signal based at least in part on said first or second input signals; a programmable memory electrically coupled to said microprocessor to store certain information relevant to one or more desired effects; an internal transmitter located within said elongated housing and electrically coupled to said microprocessor, said internal transmitter being configured to receive said output signal from said microprocessor and to transmit a wireless command signal to one or more external receivers for activating or controlling said one or more desired effects, said wireless command signal containing information based at least in part on (i) said first or second motions or orientations of said elongated body and (ii) said information stored in said programmable memory relevant to said one or more desired effects; and an internal receiver capable of wireless communication with one or more external transmitters, said internal receiver being configured to receive from said one or more external transmitters a data signal containing information relevant to said one or more desired effects, wherein said wand is sized, configured and adapted to enable a user thereof to hold and manipulate said wand by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said wand in a particular manner to control or activate said one or more desired effects, and wherein said wand is further adapted to be programmed by the user to selectively respond to multiple unique wand manipulations and/or combinations of wand manipulations to selectively control or activate said one or more desired effects. 43. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, wherein said wand is further configured and adapted to produce light, vibration and/or sound effects in response to said received data signal. 44. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, wherein said arrangement of one or more sensors comprises at least one or more of the following: impact sensors, micro-sensors, gyro-sensors, force sensors, micro-switches, momentum sensors, gravity sensors, accelerometers, tilt sensors, orientation sensors and reed switches. 45. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, wherein said programmable memory is adapted to store therein a unique identification associated with said wand. 46. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, wherein said programmable memory has stored therein certain information representing one or more purchases made by the user of said wand. 47. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, wherein said wand further comprises one or more user-activated switches, and wherein said elongated body is further sized, configured and adapted to enable the user to hold and manipulate said elongated body by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the elongated body in a particular manner while simultaneously activating one or more of said user-activated switches to thereby control or activate said one or more desired effects. 48. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, further comprising a voice-activation system responsive to particular voice commands of the user of said wand. 49. The motion-sensitive wand of claim 42, in combination with a gaming system for generating desired effects comprising one or more computer-generated images displayed on one or more associated computer monitors, television monitors, DVD display monitors, or gaming consoles, said gaming system comprising at least one gaming console configured and adapted to play a game selected by the user and at least one motion-sensitive wand adapted to control or activate said one or more of said desired effects. 50. A toy wand for use in an interactive play environment, the toy wand comprising: an elongated body having a substantially tubular shape and distal and proximal ends, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity positioned along an axis extending through said distal and proximal ends; a first tilt sensor and a second tilt sensor disposed within said internal cavity of said elongated body, said first and second tilt sensors being arranged such that at least one of said first and second tilt sensors is in an inactive state when said elongated body is in a substantially static position and such that a first motion of said elongated body causes each of said first and second tilt sensors to be in an active state; a memory configured to store a unique identification associated with the toy wand; a lookup table that associates a plurality of values with a plurality of lengths of time; a transmitter electrically coupled to said first and second tilt sensors and to said memory and located proximate to said distal end of said elongated housing, said transmitter being configured to transmit a first wireless signal in response to said first motion of said elongated body to one or more reader devices to activate one or more play effects, said first wireless signal further comprising data indicative of said unique identification; and a microprocessor electrically coupled between said transmitter and said first and second tilt sensors, said microprocessor being configured to detect the states of said first and second tilt sensors and, in response to said detection, control transmissions by said transmitter, wherein said microprocessor is further configured to determine a period of time during which said first and second tilt sensors are both in an active state, and wherein said microprocessor causes said transmitter to transmit a specific value in said first wireless signal indicative of a length of said period of time during which said first and second tilt sensors are both in an active state, and wherein said microprocessor is configured to access said lookup table to determine said specific value for said first wireless signal. 51. A toy wand for use in an interactive play environment, the toy wand comprising: an elongated body having a substantially tubular shape and distal and proximal ends, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity positioned along an axis extending through said distal and proximal ends; a first tilt sensor and a second tilt sensor disposed within said internal cavity of said elongated body, said first and second tilt sensors being arranged such that at least one of said first and second tilt sensors is in an inactive state when said elongated body is in a substantially static position and such that a first motion of said elongated body causes each of said first and second tilt sensors to be in an active state; a third sensor different than said first and second tilt sensors and configured to detect a second motion of said elongated body, wherein said second motion is different than said first motion; a memory configured to store a unique identification associated with the toy wand; and a transmitter electrically coupled to said first and second tilt sensors and to said memory and located proximate to said distal end of said elongated housing, said transmitter being configured to transmit a first wireless signal in response to said first motion of said elongated body to one or more reader devices to activate one or more play effects, said first wireless signal further comprising data indicative of said unique identification, and wherein said transmitter is configured to transmit a second wireless signal in response to said second motion, wherein said second wireless signal is different than said first wireless signal. 52. The toy wand of claim 51, wherein the third sensor comprises one or more of the following: impact sensor, micro-sensor, gyro-sensor, force sensor, micro-switch, momentum sensor, gravity sensor, accelerometer, orientation sensor and reed switch. 53. The toy wand of claim 52, wherein said first motion includes imparting different transient acceleration forces on said distal and proximal ends of said elongated body.

Details for Patent 7,896,742

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Emergent Biosolutions Canada Inc.	BAT	botulism antitoxin heptavalent (a, b, c, d, e, f, g) - (equine)	Solution	125462	03/22/2013		2020-02-22