Interactive gaming system and method using motion-sensitive input device

A motion-based interactive gaming system in which a virtual play environment is represented at least in part through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects, said gaming system comprising:

• at least one gaming console configured and adapted to produce one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with a game, said at least one gaming console comprising a first wireless receiver adapted to receive wireless communications from one or more wireless input devices for activating, modifying or controlling said one or more computer-animated effects;
• at least one wireless motion-sensitive input device sized and configured to be held and moved freely in the air and operated by a game participant using a single hand to play said game at least in part by moving said at least one input device through the air in a waving or shaking motion, said at least one input device comprising:
• a base component comprising an elongated housing extending along an axis of elongation from a gripping end adapted to be grasped by a single hand of a game participant to a pointing end protruding beyond said gripping end and being substantially in coaxial alignment therewith, said housing substantially enclosing an internal cavity containing one or more energy sources and associated electronics for operating said at least one input device;
• motion-sensitive circuitry disposed within said housing comprising at least a first sensor and a second sensor, said first and second sensors being configured and arranged so as to generate sensor output data in response to one or more sensed motions of said at least one input device;
• processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor electrically coupled to said first and second sensors and adapted to receive and process said sensor output data, said microprocessor further comprising associated memory having stored therein at least one address identifier for uniquely identifying said at least one input device;
• a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to said wireless receiver for activating, modifying or controlling said one or more computer-animated effects, said control signal being based at least in part on said sensor output data and said at least one address identifier;
• and
• at least one auxiliary component configured and adapted to be detachably and modularly assembled with said base component for enabling said game participant to selectively create a modified input device having enhanced powers, capabilities or aesthetics;
• and
• game software adapted to be executed by said gaming system to carry out said game, said game software including program instructions for instructing said at least one gaming console to:
• i) conduct said game as an interactive game in which a virtual play environment is visually/aurally represented through one or more computer animations, ii) use said address identifier to individually track the game progress or performance for each of said one or more game participants playing said game, and iii) substantially simultaneously adjust the play experience for each of said one or more game participants based at least in part on said tracked game progress or performance.

A wireless motion-sensitive input device for playing an interactive 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 at least in part by moving the entire body of said input device in one or more particular motions, said input device comprising:

• a portable housing sized and configured to be held and moved freely in the air by a game participant using a single hand, said portable housing having an axis of elongation extending from a proximal end comprising a gripping portion sized and shaped so as to be grasped and held in said single hand to a distal end comprising a pointing portion extending from said gripping portion and being oriented in substantial coaxial alignment therewith, said housing further enclosing an internal cavity sized and configured so as to contain one or more energy sources and associated electronics for operating said input device;
• processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and associated memory, said memory being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for uniquely identifying said input device to said wireless-compatible game console;
• motion- or position-sensitive circuitry comprising a plurality of sensors configured and arranged relative to said portable housing so as to sensed one or more particular motions of said input device and produce sensor output data based thereon, said motion- or position-sensitive circuitry comprising at least one sensor for sensing an acceleration force exerted on said input device and at least one sensor 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 portable housing so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand to produce and selectively control at least two bits of switch output data;
• 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 transmit to said game console a control signal based at least in part on said sensor output data, said switch output data and said address identifier;
• whereby said input device can be held in the air and operated by a game participant using a single hand to wirelessly activate, modify or control various computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects by moving said input device in one or more particular motions while simultaneously actuating one, two or none of said two or more finger-actuated switches, and wherein control signals transmitted by said input device can be uniquely identified by said game console and distinguished from other control signals transmitted by one or more other wireless input devices.

An interactive gaming system for amusing or entertaining one or more game participants playing an interactive 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 one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects in accordance with said interactive game, said at least one gaming console comprising a wireless receiver adapted to receive wireless communications from one or more associated wireless input devices for activating, modifying or controlling said one or more computer-animated effects;
• at least one wireless motion-sensitive input device sized and configured to be held and operated by a game participant using a single hand to play said interactive game at least in part by moving the entire body of said input device in a particular motion, said at least one input device comprising:
• an elongated housing sized and configured to be held and moved in free space by a game participant using a single hand, said housing extending substantially coaxially along an axis of elongation from a proximal end adapted to be grasped to a distal end adapted to be pointed in a direction indicated by said axis of elongation;
• processing circuitry comprising a microprocessor and associated memory, said memory being configured and adapted to store at least one address identifier for uniquely identifying said wireless motion-sensitive input device to said gaming console;
• motion- or position-sensitive circuitry electrically coupled to said processing circuitry and 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- or position-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 electrically coupled to said processing circuitry and comprising at least two finger-actuated switches configured and arranged relative to said housing so as to be selectively actuated by one or more fingers of said single hand while simultaneously moving said input device in a particular motion to selectively control at least two corresponding bits of data comprising a second user-directed input signal;
• and
• a wireless transmitter electrically coupled to said processing circuitry for transmitting wireless communications to said at least one gaming console, said wireless transmitter being configured and adapted to transmit to said wireless receiver a control signal based at least in part on said first and second user-directed input signals and said address identifier;
• wherein said at least one gaming console further comprises:
• i) an address storage module configured and adapted to dynamically store multiple address identifiers corresponding to multiple associated wireless input devices;
• ii) an address comparator for recognizing or distinguishing control signals originating from said multiple associated input devices;
• and iii) a tracking system for monitoring and tracking game progress of each of said one or more game participants based at least in part on each said recognized address identifier.