Interactive gaming toy

Abstract

An interactive gaming toy is provided for playing a game having both physical and virtual gameplay elements. The gaming toy comprises a physical toy, such as a toy wand, doll or action figure, having an RFID tag pre-programmed with a unique identifier that identifies the toy within an associated computer-animated game. The RFID tag stores information describing certain attributes or abilities of a corresponding virtual character or object in the computer-animated game. Additional information may be stored on the RFID tag as the corresponding virtual character evolves or changes over time based on player performance and/or gameplay progression. The interactive gaming toy thus allows developed character attributes and the like to be stored and easily transported to other games and compatible gaming platforms. One or more optional auxiliary components may be attached to the gaming toy to selectively create a modified gaming toy having additional desired functionality and/or aesthetics.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A gaming toy comprising:
 a toy body corresponding to a character or object in a video game;   a microprocessor;   non-volatile memory storing:
 (a) a first selection of information comprising a unique identifier that uniquely identifies the gaming toy, wherein the unique identifier corresponds to the character or object, and 
 (b) a second selection of information that identifies certain powers or abilities of the corresponding character or object in the video game; 
   a motion sensing element that generates data responsive to sensed motions of the toy body;   a touch sensing element that generates data responsive to sensed touching by a user; and   a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate, to a gaming platform, the first selection of information, the second selection of information, data generated by the motion sensing element, and data generated by the touch sensing element.   
     
     
         8 . The gaming toy of  claim 7 , wherein the RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with the gaming platform over a wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 40 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming toy of  claim 7 , wherein the second selection of information comprises upgraded powers or abilities earned by a game participant in the video game. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming toy of  claim 7 , wherein the motion sensing element is one or more of: a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, or an accelerometer. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming toy of  claim 7 , further comprising an attachment interface configured to removably secure an auxiliary component comprising a corresponding mating attachment interface. 
     
     
         12 . A gaming toy comprising:
 a toy body corresponding to a character or object in a video game;   a microprocessor;   non-volatile memory storing a unique identifier that uniquely identifies the gaming toy, wherein the unique identifier corresponds to the character or object;   a motion sensing element that generates data responsive to sensed motions of the toy body;   a touch sensing element that generates data responsive to sensed touching by a user;   a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate, to a gaming platform, the unique identifier, data generated by the motion sensing element, and data generated by the touch sensing element; and   an effects generator configured to produce one or more light, vibration, or sound effects based on information received by the RF transceiver from the gaming platform.   
     
     
         13 . The gaming toy of  claim 12 , wherein the non-volatile memory stores information that identifies certain powers or abilities of the character or object in the video game. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming toy of  claim 12 , wherein the RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with the gaming platform over a wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 40 feet. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming toy of  claim 12 , wherein the motion sensing element is one or more of: a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, or an accelerometer. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming toy of  claim 12 , further comprising an attachment interface configured to removably secure an auxiliary component comprising a mating attachment interface. 
     
     
         17 . A gaming toy comprising:
 a toy body corresponding to a character or object in a video game;   a microprocessor;   non-volatile memory storing a unique identifier that uniquely identifies the gaming toy, wherein the unique identifier corresponds to the character or object;   a motion sensing element that generates data responsive to sensed motions of the toy body;   a touch sensing element that generates data responsive to sensed touching by a user; and   a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate, to a gaming platform, the unique identifier, data generated by the motion sensing element, and data generated by the touch sensing element.   
     
     
         18 . The gaming toy of  claim 17 , wherein the non-volatile memory stores information that identifies certain powers or abilities of the character or object in the video game. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming toy of  claim 17 , wherein the RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with the gaming platform over a limited wireless communication range of less than 60 centimeters. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming toy of  claim 17 , wherein the RF transceiver comprises a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder. 
     
     
         21 . The gaming toy of  claim 17  wherein the RF transceiver is configured to provide two-way wireless communications with the gaming platform over a wireless communication range of between 10 feet and 40 feet. 
     
     
         22 . The gaming toy of  claim 17 , wherein the second selection of information identifies or describes certain upgraded powers or abilities earned by a game participant in the video game. 
     
     
         23 . The gaming toy of  claim 17 , wherein the motion sensing element is one or more of: a tilt sensor, a gyro-sensor, or an accelerometer. 
     
     
         24 . The gaming toy of  claim 17 , further comprising an attachment interface configured to removably secure an auxiliary component comprising a mating attachment interface. 
     
     
         25 . The gaming toy of  claim 24 , wherein the attachment interface comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         26 . The gaming toy of  claim 24 , in combination with the auxiliary component, and wherein the auxiliary component comprises non-volatile memory storing a third selection of information that identifies or describes certain powers or abilities of the corresponding character or object in the video game.