Dual-range wireless interactive entertainment device

A wireless toy for amusing or entertaining a game participant playing an interactive game within a wireless-compatible play environment, said wireless toy comprising:

• a portable body comprising an internal cavity configured to accommodate one or more batteries and associated electronics configured to power and operate said wireless toy;
• a microprocessor and associated non-volatile programmable memory configured to store game-relevant information;
• a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communication with a first wireless-compatible device over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range wireless communication includes communication of a first selection of game-relevant information from said wireless toy to said first wireless-compatible device;
• and
• a medium-range transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a unique identification number to a second wireless-compatible device over a communication range greater than 10 feet and wherein said unique identification number is configured to uniquely identify said wireless toy within said game.

A wireless gaming device for entertaining one or more game participants playing a computer-animated game on a wireless-compatible computer gaming platform or home game console, said gaming device comprising:

• a portable body comprising an internal cavity configured to hold one or more batteries and associated electronics configured to power and operate said gaming device;
• non-volatile memory storing a unique identifier configured to uniquely identify said gaming device within said game;
• a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communication with a first wireless-compatible device over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range wireless communication includes communication of at least a first selection of game-relevant information from said gaming device to said first wireless-compatible device;
• and
• a medium-range RF transceiver configured to provide medium-range two-way wireless communication with a second wireless-compatible device over a communication range greater than 10 feet and wherein said medium-range wireless communication includes communication of at least a second selection of game-relevant information from said gaming device to said second wireless-compatible device.

A dual-range wireless tracking device for wirelessly tracking a guest as part of an entertainment experience carried out within a wireless-compatible play or entertainment facility, said tracking device comprising:

• a portable body comprising one or more internal batteries and associated electronics configured to power and operate said tracking device;
• non-volatile memory for storing at least one unique identifier that uniquely identifies said guest as a trackable object within said wireless-compatible play or entertainment facility when said guest is using, wearing or carrying said tracking device;
• a wirelessly-powered short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to provide short-range two-way wireless communication with a first wireless-compatible device over a limited communication range of less than 60 cm and wherein said short-range wireless communication includes a first selection of guest-specific information relevant to said entertainment experience;
• and
• a battery-powered medium-range transmitter configured to provide medium-range wireless communication with a second wireless-compatible device over a communication range greater than 10 feet and wherein said medium-range wireless communication includes a second selection of guest-specific information relevant to said entertainment experience.