Claims for Patent: 8,169,406

Summary for Patent: 8,169,406

Title:	Motion-sensitive wand controller for a game
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, waiving 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.
Inventor(s):	Barney; Jonathan A. (Newport Beach, CA), Weston; Denise Chapman (Wakefield, RI)
Assignee:	Creative Kingdoms, LLC (Wakefield, RI)
Application Number:	13/231,813
Patent Claims:	1. An interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing a game in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects, said interactive gaming system comprising: at least one gaming console configured and adapted to produce said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with a particular selected game desired to be played by said one or more game participants, said at least one gaming console comprising a first wireless transceiver adapted to provide two-way wireless communications with one or more associated wireless devices; one or more wireless motion-sensitive input devices sized and configured to be held and operated by each of said one or more game participants using a single hand to play said particular selected game at least in part by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device, each said one or more input devices comprising: an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand to a distal end, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured so as to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device; processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a first user-directed input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element for sensing an acceleration force exerted on said input device and at least one sensor element for sensing rotation of said input device; command circuitry comprising one or more finger-actuated switches configured and arranged relative to said elongated body so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand to thereby provide a second user-directed input signal responsive to said one or more finger actuations; a second wireless transceiver adapted to provide two-way wireless communication with at least said first wireless transceiver, said second wireless transceiver being configured and adapted to: i) transmit to said first transceiver a control signal based at least in part on said first and second user-directed input signals and said address identifier, and ii) receive from said first transceiver a return data signal containing information relevant to said particular selected game; and at least one light-emitting module configured and adapted to produce a light signal or pattern capable of being detected by one or more external cameras or sensors; at least one camera adapted to be provided in communicative association with said at least one gaming console, said at least one camera being further configured and adapted to capture one or more digital images containing said light signal or pattern and to communicate said one or more digital images to said at least one gaming console; and wherein said at least one gaming console is further configured and adapted to process said one or more digital images by analyzing the position and/or movement of said light signal or pattern and to thereby activate, modify or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects based at least in part on said processed digital images. 2. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein said motion-sensitive circuitry comprises 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, or reed switches. 3. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein said command circuitry comprises at least two finger-actuated switches operatively associated with said elongated body, said at least two finger-actuated switches being sized, configured and adapted to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of a user to selectively control at least two bits of input data comprising said second user-directed input signal while said user is simultaneously moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in a particular manner, whereby said user is able to use said motion-sensitive input device with a single hand to control or activate at least two different desired effects within said particular selected game by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device in a particular manner while selectively activating one, two or none of said at least two finger-actuated switches. 4. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light-emitting module is configured and adapted to emit a directional light signal comprising visible or infrared light. 5. The interactive gaming system of claim 4, wherein said at least one light-emitting module comprises a light bulb, LED or semiconductor laser adapted and arranged to shine a beam or cone of light from the distal end of each said one or more input devices. 6. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one light-emitting module is adapted to produce said light signal based on said return data signal received from said first transceiver. 7. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more input devices comprises a base component adapted to be modularly assembled with one or more auxiliary components for enabling said one or more game participants to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, abilities or aesthetics. 8. The interactive gaming system of claim 7, wherein said at least one input device, when modularly assembled, comprises one or more of the following motion-sensitive toys: magic wand, sword, staff, scepter, whip, paddle, nunchuk, cricket bat, baseball bat, sporting ball, musical instrument, flute, recorder, drum stick, rope, fishing rod, doll, action figure, or stuffed animal. 9. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein said one or more input devices comprises a first motion-sensitive input device and a second motion-sensitive input device each configured to be held in a single respective hand and used by said one or more game participants to selectively actuate or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects, and wherein said first and second input devices are further configured and adapted to communicate with one another. 10. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more input device comprises a display screen configured to display game scoring, game play objectives or text messages. 11. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, further comprising one or more collectible or tradable items comprising a toy, card, trinket, token, doll, action figure or stuffed animal, each said one or more collectible or tradable items physically depicting or representing persons, characters or objects relevant to said particular selected game and having associated therewith an electronically-readable tag, each said electronically-readable tag further comprising tag identification information for identifying or tracking each said associated collectible or tradable item and wherein said at least one gaming console is further configured and adapted to: i) electronically read each said electronically-readable tag when a selected one or more of said collectible or tradable items is presented to said at least one gaming console to thereby determine said tag identification information, ii) create one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects having the particular appearance, characteristics and/or traits of said corresponding depicted or represented person, character or object, and iii) adjust the game experience for said one or more game participants according to said selected one or more of said collectible or tradable items presented to said at least one gaming console whereby said one or more game participants are able to affect the play of said particular selected game by selectively presenting said one or more collectible or tradable items to said at least one gaming console. 12. The interactive gaming system of claim 11, wherein at least one of said one or more collectible or tradable items comprises a paper, cardboard or plastic substrate imprinted with graphics, photos and/or other information and wherein said tag identification information comprises a barcode. 13. The interactive gaming system of claim 11, wherein at least one of said one or more collectible or tradable items comprises an electronically-readable RFID tag and wherein said tag identification information comprises a tag ID uniquely or non-uniquely associated with each said RFID tag. 14. The interactive gaming system of claim 13, comprising a first gaming console and a second gaming console and wherein said first gaming console is configured and adapted to produce said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with said particular selected game and wherein said second gaming console comprises an RFID reader configured and adapted to: i) electronically read each said electronically-readable RFID tag when a selected one or more of said one or more collectible or tradable items is presented to said second gaming console to thereby determine said tag ID, and ii) communicate said tag ID to said first gaming console, whereby said first gaming console can adjust the game experience for said one or more game participants according to said selected one or more of said one or more collectible or tradable items presented to said second gaming console. 15. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one camera is further configured and adapted to capture digital images, photos or videos of said one or more game participants playing said particular selected game and wherein said gaming console is further configured and adapted to selectively retrieve and display said captured digital images, photos or videos. 16. The interactive gaming system of claim 1, further comprising at least one voice-activated control configured and adapted to activate or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with one or more voice commands. 17. 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 and wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in a particular manner, said input device comprising: an elongated body sized and configured to be held by a game participant using a single hand, said elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end, adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand, to a distal end, and enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device; processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a first input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element for sensing an acceleration force exerted on said input device and at least one sensor element for sensing rotation of said input device relative to said axis of elongation; command circuitry comprising two or more finger-actuated switches configured and arranged relative to said elongated body so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand to selectively control at least two bits of input data comprising a second input signal while said game participant is simultaneously moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in said particular manner; an effects generator and associated control circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to enable said input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled to said processing circuitry for providing two-way wireless communication with said wireless-compatible game console, said wireless transceiver being configured and adapted to: i) transmit to said game console a first control signal based at least in part on said first and second input signals and said address identifier, and ii) receive from said game console a second control signal for activating or controlling said at least one sound, lighting or vibration effect; whereby said input device can be operated by a game participant using a single hand to wirelessly activate or control at least two different computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device in a particular manner while selectively activating one, two or none of said two or more finger-actuated switches. 18. The wireless input device of claim 17, wherein said motion-sensitive circuitry comprises 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, or reed switches. 19. The wireless input device of claim 17, wherein said effects generator comprises at least one light-emitting module configured and adapted to emit a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of being detected by an external camera associated with said game console. 20. The wireless input device of claim 19, wherein said at least one light-emitting module comprises a light bulb, LED or semiconductor laser adapted and arranged to shine a beam or cone of light from the distal end of said elongated body. 21. The wireless input device of claim 19, in combination with a wireless-compatible game console and an associated digital camera, said digital camera being configured and adapted to capture one or more digital images containing said light signal or pattern and to communicate said one or more digital images to said game console, and wherein said game console is configured and adapted to process said one or more digital images by analyzing the position and/or movement of said light signal or pattern and to thereby activate or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects based at least in part on said processed digital images. 22. The wireless input device of claim 17, wherein said elongated body comprises a base component adapted to be modularly assembled with one or more auxiliary components for enabling a game participant to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, abilities or aesthetics. 23. The wireless input device of claim 22, wherein at least one modified input device, when modularly assembled, comprises a motion-sensitive toy themed in accordance with a desired game or play environment. 24. The wireless input device of claim 23, wherein said at least one modified input device, when modularly assembled, comprises one or more of the following motion-sensitive toys: magic wand, sword, staff, scepter, cane, stick, flower, paint brush, crayon, whip, paddle, bat, nunchuk, sporting ball, musical instrument, flute, recorder, fishing rod, doll, action figure, book, jewelry item, crystal ball, or stuffed animal. 25. The wireless input device of claim 17, further comprising a display screen configured to display game scoring, game play objectives or text messages. 26. The wireless input device of claim 17 wherein said memory device is further configured and adapted to store information uniquely identifying a particular user of said input device. 27. The wireless input device of claim 17, wherein said memory device is further configured and adapted to store selected information identifying or describing certain characteristics, attributes, powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character associated with said game and wherein said microprocessor is further configured to create or update said character information based on: i) input provided by said game participant, ii) selected game play information or results, or iii) information confirming the purchase of one or more play objects relevant to said game. 28. The wireless input device of claim 17, wherein at least one of said two or more finger-actuated switches comprises a solid-state electronic switch or touch sensor. 29. The wireless input device of claim 17, further comprising a magnetic inductance energy generator for generating useable energy from an externally generated electromagnetic field. 30. A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible gaming system in which an imaginary play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects and wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waiving or pointing said input device in a particular manner, said input device comprising: an elongated body sized and configured to be held by a game participant using a single hand, said elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end, adapted to be gripped and held by said single hand, to a distal end, and enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to contain one or more batteries and associated electronics for operating said input device; one or more auxiliary components configured and adapted to be detachably assembled with said elongated body for enabling said game participant to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, abilities or aesthetics; at least one light-emitting module configured and adapted to emit a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of being detected by an external camera, optical sensor or infrared sensor associated with said gaming system; processing circuitry disposed within said internal cavity comprising a microprocessor and an associated memory device, said memory device being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for facilitating electronic identification and/or tracking of said input device; motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said internal cavity configured and arranged so as to provide a user-directed input signal responsive to one or more sensed motions of said input device, said motion sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor element electrically coupled to said microprocessor for sensing a transient acceleration force exerted on said input device, and wherein said microprocessor is further programmed and configured to measure a time duration from a first point in time when said sensed transient acceleration force exceeds a threshold amount to a second point in time when said sensed transient acceleration force does not exceed a threshold amount; a wireless transmitter electrically coupled to said microprocessor for transmitting to said gaming system a control signal based at least in part on said user-directed input signal, said measured time duration and said address identifier; whereby said input device can be operated by a game participant using only a single hand to selectively activate or control said computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing said input device in a particular manner. 31. The wireless input device of claim 30, wherein said motion-sensitive circuitry comprises 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, or reed switches. 32. The wireless input device of claim 30, wherein said at least one light-emitting module comprises a light bulb, LED or semiconductor laser adapted and arranged to shine a beam or cone of light from the distal end of said elongated body. 33. The wireless input device of claim 30, in combination with a wireless gaming system and an associated digital camera, said digital camera being configured and adapted to capture one or more digital images containing said light signal or pattern and to communicate said one or more digital images to said gaming system, and wherein said gaming system is configured and adapted to process said one or more digital images by analyzing the position and/or movement of said light signal or pattern to thereby activate, modify or control said one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects. 34. The wireless input device of claim 30, wherein at least one modified input device, when assembled, comprises a motion-sensitive toy themed in accordance with a desired game or play environment. 35. The wireless input device of claim 34, wherein said at least one modified input device, when assembled, comprises one or more of the following motion-sensitive toys: magic wand, sword, staff, scepter, cane, stick, flower, paint brush, crayon, whip, paddle, bat, nunchuk, sporting ball, musical instrument, flute, recorder, fishing rod, doll, action figure, book, jewelry item, crystal ball, or stuffed animal.

Details for Patent 8,169,406

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