System and method for playing a virtual game by sensing physical movements

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 lighting element emits a light signal or pattern that can be sensed by an external sensor or camera to interpret one or more movements or gestures made using the input device.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An interactive play system comprising:
 a control system comprising one or more computer processors configured to output display data to a display system;   an input device detectable by the control system comprising a handheld body having an internal cavity with electronic circuitry, the input device comprising:
 a plurality of motion sensors selected from the group consisting of a tilt sensor, an accelerometer and a gyro-sensor, and configured to generate motion output signals in response to movement of the input device; 
 a light emitting element operated by the electronic circuitry to emit light from the input device; and 
 a radiofrequency transceiver configured to transmit data comprising indications of the motion output signals to the control system; and 
   a camera configured to generate image data of a play environment and transmit a signal based on the image data to the control system, wherein the image data includes information indicative of the movement of the light emitted by the light emitting element;   wherein the control system is configured to process the signal transmitted from the camera to determine a motion of the input device that corresponds to the movement of the light emitted by the light emitting element.   
     
     
         12 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the light emitting element is configured to emit visible light. 
     
     
         13 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the camera comprises a video camera. 
     
     
         14 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the motion sensors comprise at least two motion sensors configured to generate first and second motion output signals in response to first and second movements of the input device, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the camera comprises a first camera configured to produce first image data of the play environment from a first angle, and a second camera configured to produce second image data of the play environment from a second angle. 
     
     
         16 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the input device further comprises a sound effect element, and wherein the control system is further configured to send a transmission to the input device indicating a sound effect for the sound emitting element of the input device to make. 
     
     
         17 . The interactive play system of  claim 14 , wherein the control system is further configured to generate a first effect based on the first motion output signal and a second effect based on the second motion output signal and wherein said first and second effects are different. 
     
     
         18 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the control system is further configured to generate image data for display on the display screen in response to determining that the signal transmitted from the camera indicates that a position of the light emitted by the light emitting module has changed. 
     
     
         19 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the input device further comprises a touch sensor configured to generate a touch output signal in response to a user contacting the touch sensor, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is configured to transmit a wireless communication corresponding to the touch output signal and the control system is configured to generate image data for display on the display screen in response to receiving the wireless communication corresponding to the touch output signal. 
     
     
         20 . The interactive play system of  claim 11 , wherein the input device further comprises a plurality of user selectable switches, wherein the input device is configured to generate a switch output signal in response to selection of one of the plurality of user selectable switches. 
     
     
         21 . The interactive play system of  claim 20 , wherein the control system is configured to generate image data for display on the display screen in response to receiving a wireless communication from the radiofrequency transceiver corresponding to the switch output signal. 
     
     
         22 . An input device for a compatible play system comprising:
 a body portion having an internal cavity configured to receive one or more batteries for powering an input device;   electronic circuitry configured to control operation of the input device comprising:
 a first motion sensor that generates a first motion output signal in response to a first movement of the input device; 
 a second motion sensor that generates a second motion output signal in response to a second movement of the input device; 
 a light emitting element operated by the electronic circuitry to emit light from the input device; and 
 a wireless transceiver configured to provide wireless communication with a compatible play system; 
   wherein said first and second motion sensors are selected from the group consisting of a tilt sensor, an accelerometer and a gyro-sensor;   wherein the wireless transceiver is further configured to transmit to the compatible play system a first wireless communication comprising data indicative of at least one of the first motion output signal and the second motion output signal.   
     
     
         23 . The input device of  claim 22 , wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to cause the light emitting element to emit visible light detectable by the compatible play system. 
     
     
         24 . The input device of  claim 22 , wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to cause the light emitting element to emit light in response to the wireless transceiver receiving a signal from the compatible play system. 
     
     
         25 . The input device of  claim 22 , further comprising a touch sensor configured to generate a touch output signal in response to a user contacting the touch sensor, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit a second wireless communication corresponding to the touch output signal. 
     
     
         26 . The input device of  claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of user selectable switches, wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to generate a switch output signal in response to selection of one of the plurality of user selectable switches. 
     
     
         27 . The input device of  claim 22 , further comprising a sound effect element that generates a sound effect in response to receiving a corresponding signal from the compatible play system. 
     
     
         28 . A method of controlling a play environment with a control system comprising:
 generating first display data usable by a display system to generate a display of an interactive element within a play environment;   receiving a wireless communication from an input device indicative of a motion output signal generated by one or more tilt sensors, accelerometers or gyroscopes disposed within the input device in response to movement of the input device;   receiving a communication from at least one imaging device comprising image data corresponding to an image of the play environment captured by the imaging device;   determining from the image data a location of light emitted from a light emitting element within the image of the play environment, wherein the light emitting element is coupled to and controlled by the input device;   determining a motion of the input device based at least on analyzing a change in position of the light emitting element in the image of the play environment;   generating second display data usable by the display system to generate an updated display of an interactive element within the play environment, wherein the second play data is generated based at least in part on the determined motion of the input device based at least on the change in position of the light emitting element in the image of the play environment.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the communication received from the at least one imaging device comprises video data from at least two cameras and wherein determining the motion of the input device is based at least on analyzing the video data from the two cameras. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining the motion of the input device is based at least in part on analyzing the motion output signal generated by the one or more tilt sensors, accelerometers or gyro-sensor.