MOTION-SENSITIVE INPUT DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED CAMERA FOR SENSING GESTURES

1 . An interactive game wherein a game participant uses a wireless motion-sensitive input device to direct or control one or more computer animations providing an immersive interactive gaming experience, said interactive game comprising:

a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home game console configured to generate one or more computer animations in accordance with an interactive game;

a digital camera configured to capture and communicate to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more digital images;

at least one wireless hand-held motion-sensitive input device configured to be held and operated by a user to play or direct a game at least in part by moving a body of said input device in free space, said input device comprising:

a housing sized and configured to be gripped and held by a user, said housing comprising an internal cavity sized and configured to receive or contain one or more internal power sources and circuitry configured to power and operate said input device;

one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to one or more sensed motions or orientations of said input device in free space;

one or more switches configured to generate switch state data responsive to selective actuations thereof by one or more fingers of a user's hand;

an effects generator configured to generate light, vibration or sound effects in accordance with said interactive game; and

electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data to and from said wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising: i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, and iii) a wireless radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to: a) transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said sensor state data and said switch state data, and b) receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information; and

game software stored in non-transitory storage comprising executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to carry out an immersive interactive game wherein one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects are produced based at least in part on said sensor state data and said switch state data.

2 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein said input device comprises a wand input device configured to be held and operated by a user using a single hand, said wand input device comprising an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end extending from said first end in substantial coaxial alignment therewith.

3 . The interactive game of claim 2 , wherein said wand input device is configured in the shape, form or theme of a magic wand, scepter, sword, paint brush, or crayon.

4 . The interactive game of claim 2 , wherein said wand input device is further configured to produce a visible or infrared light capable of being detected by said digital camera and captured in one or more digital images.

5 . The interactive game of claim 4 , wherein said wand input device comprises a lighting element configured to produce a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of being detected by said digital camera and captured in one or more digital images.

6 . The interactive game of claim 5 , wherein said lighting element is configured to emit a directional light signal comprising a beam or cone of visible or infrared light.

7 . The interactive game of claim 5 , wherein said lighting element comprises a light bulb, light emitting diode (LED) or semiconductor laser.

8 . The interactive game of claim 4 , wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to: i) process said one or more captured digital images by analyzing the position and/or movement of said light signal or pattern, and ii) determine a corresponding effect comprising one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects.

9 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein said digital camera is configured and arranged to capture one or more digital images of a game participant playing said interactive game.

10 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to: i) process said one or more captured digital images, and ii) determine a corresponding effect comprising one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects.

11 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said finger-actuated switches comprises a touch-sensor element configured to generate switch state data in response to sensed touching of a user's finger thereon.

12 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said sensors is selected from the group consisting of: tilt sensor, orientation sensor, gyro-sensor, and accelerometer.

13 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein said electronic circuitry further comprises a transmit timer for causing said RF transceiver to repeatedly and periodically transmit said one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said switch state data and said sensor state data.

14 . The interactive game of claim 1 , further comprising at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly attached to said input device to enable a user to selectively create a modified input device having different or additional functional capabilities or aesthetics.

15 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to: i) conduct the interactive game wherein 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 interactive game based at least in part on receiving and identifying said one or more wireless signals transmitted by said input device; and iii) adjust the play experience for said game participant based on said tracked game progress or performance.

16 . The interactive game of claim 1 , wherein said game-relevant information comprises one or more commands or instructions for directing or causing said effects generator to generate one or more light, vibration or sound effects.

17 . The interactive game of claim 1 , further comprising at least one physical play object comprising object-specific information adapted to be wirelessly and electronically read by said wireless-compatible gaming platform.

18 . The interactive game of claim 17 , wherein said at least one physical play object comprises a doll, action figure, collectible card, book, diary, or clothing item.

19 . The interactive game of claim 17 , wherein said object-specific information comprises information identifying or describing said physical play object or a person, character or object in said interactive game portrayed or represented by said physical play object.

20 . The interactive game of claim 19 , wherein said object-specific information comprises a unique index identifier identifying or referencing associated information stored on a database accessible by said wireless-compatible gaming platform.

21 . The interactive game of claim 20 , wherein said unique index identifier is recorded in a printed code associated with said at least one physical play object, and wherein said printed code is adapted to be wirelessly and electronically read by said wireless-compatible gaming platform.

22 . The interactive game of claim 21 , wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to: i) wirelessly and electronically read said printed code from said at least one physical play object and thereby determine said unique index identifier; ii) use said unique index identifier to retrieve from a database selected information describing the appearance or traits of a person, character or object associated with said interactive game; and iii) recreate in said one or more computer animations the appearance or traits of said person, character or object.

23 . The interactive game of claim 21 , wherein said at least one physical play object comprises a book, and wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects that create an illusion that the game participant is performing magic or that said book is talking or telling a story.

24 . An interactive game wherein a game participant uses a motion-sensitive wireless wand input device to direct or control one or more computer animations as part of an immersive gaming experience, said interactive game comprising:

a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home game console configured, to generate one or more computer animations in accordance with an interactive game;

at least one motion-sensitive wireless wand input device configured to be held and operated by a user using a single hand to play or direct a game at least in part by moving the entire body of said wand input device, said wand input device comprising:

an elongated body having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end extending from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith;

a first arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a first sensed motion of said wand input device;

a second arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a second sensed motion of said wand input device, wherein said second sensed motion is different than said first sensed motion;

at least one lighting element configured to produce a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of being detected by one or more external cameras or sensors; and

electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data to said wireless-compatible gaming platform over a range of at least 10 feet, said electronic circuitry comprising: i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, and iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals communicating at least said unique identifier and said sensor state data;

at least one physical play object comprising object-specific data stored or recorded in a manner such that it can be wirelessly and electronically read by said wireless-compatible gaming platform over a range of at least 1 cm; and

game software stored in non-transitory storage comprising executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to carry out said interactive game wherein one or more computer animations are produced based at least in part on said sensor state data and said object-specific data.

25 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said wand input device is configured in the shape, form or theme of a magic wand, scepter, sword, paint brush, or crayon.

26 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein at least one of said first or second sensed motions comprises rotational motion about said axis of elongation.

27 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said lighting element is configured to produce a directional light signal comprising a beam or cone of visible or infrared light.

28 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said lighting element comprises a light bulb, light emitting diode (LED) or semiconductor laser.

29 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said wireless-compatible gaming platform comprises a first radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with a wireless-compatible device over a range of at least 10 feet and a second RF transceiver configured to provide two-way wireless communications with a wireless-compatible device over a range greater than 1 cm and less than 200 cm.

30 . The interactive game of claim 29 , wherein said second RF transceiver comprises an RF identification (RFID) reader device and wherein said at least one physical play object comprises an RFID tag having non-volatile memory to store said object-specific data.

31 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said wireless-compatible gaming platform comprises a visual-, laser- or infrared-based medium-range wireless communication system.

32 . The interactive game of claim 31 , wherein said wireless-compatible gaming platform comprises a digital camera configured to capture and communicate to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more digital images.

33 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said at least one physical play object comprises a doll, action figure, collectible card, book, diary, or clothing item.

34 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said object-specific data comprises information identifying or describing said at least one physical play object or a person, character or object in said interactive game portrayed or represented by said physical play object.

35 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said object-specific data comprises a unique index identifier identifying or referencing associated information stored on a database accessible by said wireless-compatible gaming platform.

36 . The interactive game of claim 35 , wherein said unique index identifier is recorded in a printed code associated with said at least one physical play object and wherein said printed code is adapted to be wirelessly and electronically read by said wireless-compatible gaming platform.

37 . The interactive game of claim 36 , wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to: i) wirelessly and electronically read said printed code from said at least one physical play object and thereby determine said unique index identifier; ii) use said unique index identifier to retrieve from a database selected information describing the appearance or traits of a person, character or object associated with said interactive game; and iii) recreate in said one or more computer animations the appearance or traits of said person, character or object.

38 . The interactive game of claim 36 , wherein said at least one physical play object comprises a book, and wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects that create an illusion that the game participant is performing magic or that said book is talking or telling a story.

39 . The interactive game of claim 24 , wherein said at least one physical play object comprises a book, and wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that direct or cause said wireless-compatible gaming platform to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects that create an illusion that the game participant is performing magic or that said book is talking or telling a story.

40 . A wireless motion-sensitive input device for use with a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home game console, said motion-sensitive input device comprising:

a base component sized and configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user to play or direct 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 adapted to be gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end protruding from said first end and being in substantial coaxial alignment therewith, said elongated body substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to receive or contain one or more internal power sources and circuitry configured to power and operate said base component;

at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly attached and detached to said base component to enable a user to selectively create a modified input device having increased or different functional capabilities;

an arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to one or more sensed motions or orientations of said motion-sensitive input device;

at least one lighting element configured to produce a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of communicating pointing or gesturing information to one or more external cameras or sensors; and

electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate said sensor state data to a wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising: i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, and iii) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to: a) transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless RF signals comprising said unique identifier and said sensor state data, and b) receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless RF signals comprising selected game-relevant information.

41 . The input device of claim 40 , wherein said motion-sensitive input device is configured in the shape, form or theme of a magic wand, sword, paint brush, crayon, paddle, nunchuk, baseball bat, sporting ball, book, musical instrument, fishing rod, doll, or action figure.

42 . The input device of claim 40 wherein said auxiliary component comprises a handle configured for modular assembly with said base component.

43 . The input device of claim 40 , further comprising an effects generator and control circuitry configured to cause said motion-sensitive input device to generate one or more visual, aural or tactile effects in response to receiving said one or more wireless RF signals comprising selected game-relevant information.

44 . The input device of claim 40 , wherein said lighting element is configured to produce a directional light signal comprising a beam or cone of visible or infrared light.

45 . The interactive game of claim 40 , wherein said lighting element comprises a light bulb, light emitting diode (LED) or semiconductor laser.

46 . The input device of claim 40 , wherein said base component further 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, said at least two finger-actuated switches being further configured to generate switch state data responsive to said selective actuations thereof and wherein said RF transceiver is configured to transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless RF signals comprising said unique identifier, said sensor state data and said switch state data.

47 . The input device of claim 46 , wherein at least one of said finger-actuated switches comprises a touch-sensor element configured to generate switch state data responsive to sensed touching of a user's finger thereon.

48 . The input device of claim 40 , wherein said arrangement of one or more sensors comprises a plurality of sensors and wherein at least one of said plurality of sensors is disposed in said auxiliary component.

49 . The input device of claim 40 , wherein said one or more sensors comprise one or more of the following: tilt sensor, orientation sensor, gyro-sensor, and accelerometer.

50 . The input device of claim 40 , further comprising a transmit timer for causing said wireless transceiver to repeatedly and periodically transmit said one or more wireless RF signals comprising said unique identifier and said sensor state data.

51 . The input device of claim 40 , further comprising energy management circuitry configured to selectively switch said motion-sensitive input device between a sleep or lower-power state and an active or higher-power state to thereby conserve or reduce overall power-consumption.

52 . The input device of claim 40 , in combination with game software comprising executable program instructions stored on non-transitory storage that 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 interactive game based at least in part on identifying said one or more wireless signals transmitted by said input device; and iii) adjust the play experience for said game participant based on said tracked game progress or performance.

53 . The combination of claim 52 , wherein said base component and said auxiliary component, when modularly assembled, comprise a modified input device configured in accordance with a theme of said virtual play environment.

54 . The input device of claim 40 , in combination with a wireless-compatible home game console configured to produce computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in response to receiving one or more wireless RF signals from said motion-sensitive input device.

55 . The combination of claim 54 , in further combination with a digital camera, said digital camera being configured to capture and communicate to said home game console one or more digital images comprising said light signal or pattern, and wherein said home game console is further configured to process said one or more digital images to determine pointing or gesturing information communicated by said light signal or pattern.

56 . The input device of claim 40 , in combination with a physical play object comprising a doll, action figure, collectible card, book, diary, or clothing item having stored or recorded thereon object-specific information adapted to be wirelessly and electronically read by a wireless-compatible gaming platform.

57 . The combination of claim 56 , wherein said object-specific information comprises information identifying or describing said physical play object or a person, character or object in a game that is portrayed or represented by said physical play object.

58 . A wireless motion-sensitive input device for use with a wireless-compatible gaming platform comprising a live-action game, computer game, video game or home game console, said input device comprising:

a housing sized and configured to be held and operated by a user using a single hand to play or direct a game at least in part by moving the entire body of said housing, said housing having an axis of elongation extending from a first end adapted to be gripped by a single hand of a user to a second end extending substantial coaxially from said first end, said housing substantially enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured to receive or contain one or more internal power sources and circuitry configured to power and operate said input device;

a first arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a first sensed motion of said input device;

a second arrangement of one or more sensors configured to generate sensor state data responsive to at least a second sensed motion of said input device wherein said second sensed motion is different than said first sensed motion;

at least two finger-actuated switches configured to generate switch state data responsive to selective actuations thereof by one or more fingers of a user's hand;

at least one lighting element configured to produce a visible or infrared light signal or pattern capable of communicating pointing or gesturing information to one or more external cameras or sensors; and

electronic circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data to and from a wireless-compatible gaming platform, said electronic circuitry comprising: i) a microprocessor, ii) memory configured to store a unique identifier, and iii) a wireless radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to: a) transmit to said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said sensor state data and said switch state data, and b) receive from said wireless-compatible gaming platform one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information.

59 . The input device of claim 58 , wherein said housing is configured in the shape, form or theme of a magic wand, scepter, sword, paint brush, crayon, paddle, nunchuk, bat, book, musical instrument, fishing rod, doll, or action figure.

60 . The input device of claim 58 , wherein said lighting element is configured to produce a directional light signal comprising a beam or cone of visible or infrared light.

61 . The input device of claim 58 , wherein said lighting element comprises a light bulb, light emitting diode (LED) or semiconductor laser.

62 . The input device of claim 58 , wherein at least one of said finger-actuated switches comprises a touch-sensor element configured to generate switch state data responsive to sensed touching of a user's finger thereon.

63 . The input device of claim 58 , wherein at least one of said first or second sensed motions comprises rotational motion about said axis of elongation.

64 . The input device of claim 58 , wherein said first or second arrangement of one or more sensors comprises one or more of the following: tilt sensor, orientation sensor, gyro-sensor, and accelerometer.

65 . The input device of claim 58 , further comprising a transmit timer for causing said wireless transceiver to repeatedly and periodically transmit said one or more wireless signals comprising said unique identifier, said switch state data and said sensor state data.

66 . The input device of claim 58 , in combination with at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly attached or detached to said motion-sensitive input device to thereby enable a user to selectively create a modified input device having increased or different functional capabilities.

67 . The input device of claim 66 , wherein said auxiliary component comprises a handle configured to be selectively attached or detached to said motion-sensitive input device.

68 . The input device of claim 58 , in combination with a second input device configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user and responsive to one or more sensed motions, said second input device further configured to communicate with said wireless motion-sensitive input device.

69 . The input device of claim 58 , further comprising an effects generator and associated control circuitry configured and arranged so as to enable said input device to generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect in response to receiving one or more wireless signals comprising selected game-relevant information.

70 . The input device of claim 58 , in combination with a home game console adapted to produce computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in response to receiving one or more wireless signals from said input device.

71 . The combination of claim 70 , in further combination with a digital camera, said digital camera being configured to capture and communicate to said home game console one or more digital images comprising said light signal or pattern, and wherein said home game console is further configured to process said one or more digital images to determine pointing or gesturing information communicated by said light signal or pattern.

72 . The input device of claim 58 , in combination with game software comprising executable program instructions stored on non-transitory storage that 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 interactive game based at least in part on said unique identifier; and iii) adjust the play experience for said game participant based on said tracked game progress or performance.

73 . The combination of claim 72 , in further combination with at least one auxiliary component configured to be modularly assembled with said motion-sensitive input device so as to enable a user to selectively create a modified input device configured in accordance with a theme of said virtual play environment.

74 . An auxiliary component configured to be modularly assembled with the motion-sensitive input device of claim 58 so as to enable a user thereof to selectively create a modified input device having different or additional functional capabilities.

75 . The input device of claim 58 , in combination with game software stored in non-transitory storage comprising executable program instructions that direct or cause a wireless-compatible gaming platform to carry out a game wherein one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects are produced that create an illusion that a user is performing magic when the input device is moved in one or more particular motions.

76 . The combination of claim 75 , in further combination with a book, and wherein said game software comprises executable program instructions that cause or direct said wireless-compatible gaming platform to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects that create an illusion that said book is talking or telling a story.