# US 8,783,557 B2 · System and method for interactive mobile gaming > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,557 B2 - Document ID: US8783557B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/060,163 - Filed: 2013-10-22 - Published: 2014-04-24 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-22 - Assignees: Retoy, LLC - Applicants: Retoy, LLC - Inventors: Edo Segal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783557B2 ## CPC - G06F 16/00: Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor - A63F 13/213: comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells (A63F13/219 takes precedence) - A63F 13/32: using local area network [LAN] connections - A63F 13/33: using wide area network [WAN] connections - A63F 13/35: Details of game servers - A63F 13/52: involving aspects of the displayed game scene - A63F 13/90: Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets - G06K 19/041: {Constructional details (G06K19/06 takes precedence)} - G06K 19/06: characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code - G06K 19/06046: {Constructional details} - A63F 2009/0013: {Bottles} - A63F 2009/0015: {Closures, e.g. POGS, milk cap game, cap disk game, flippo} - A63F 2300/1043: being characterized by constructional details - A63F 2300/1087: comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera - A63F 2300/404: characterized by a local network connection - A63F 2300/552: for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device - A63F 2300/66: for rendering three dimensional images - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing information to a camera associated with a computing device. The apparatus includes a base portion having a bottomside. The base portion further has an interior region disposed therein, that provides an illuminable surface. Further, a machine-readable code is included that is supported by the surface, and a lens is disposed between the code and the bottomside. The base is configured to seat the lens over the camera associated with the computing device in a first orientation and a second orientation. Further, the machine-readable code presents, for reading by the computing device, first information in response to the lens being seated over the camera in the first orientation and second information in response to the lens being seated over the camera in the second orientation, respectively. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for providing information to a camera associated with a computing device, the apparatus comprising: a base portion having at least a bottomside and an interior region disposed within the base portion and providing an illuminable surface; a machine-readable code supported by the surface; and a lens disposed between the machine-readable code and the bottomside, the base being configured to seat the lens over the camera associated with the computing device; wherein the machine-readable code presents, for reading by the computing device, first information in response to the lens being seated over the camera, and the machine-readable code or the lens provided in a respective first orientation, and the machine-readable code also presents second information in response to the lens being seated over the camera, and the machine-readable code or the lens provided in a respective second orientation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second lens positioned between the code and the bottomside of the base portion, the base being configured to seat the second lens over the camera associated with the computing device, and wherein the machine-readable code presents for reading by the computing device third information in response to the second lens being seated over the camera. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lens is convex and the second lens is concave. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base portion comprises removable and replaceable attachment of the second lens. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a signal projector for projecting a signal corresponding to the code. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a platform associated with the base portion; and a figurine coupled to the platform, wherein at least one of the first information and second information is associated with the figurine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the figurine is a character in a game. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information or the second information represents an instruction associated with playing a game. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion is configured in a plurality of colors, and wherein a first of the plurality of colors is received by the lens in response to the lens being seated over the camera, and the machine-readable code or the lens being provided in a respective orientation, and a second of the plurality of colors is received by the lens in response to the lens being seated over the camera, and the machine-readable code or the lens being provided in a respective different orientation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a section of the base portion is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a rotatable mount to rotatably support the machine-readable code relative to the base portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a suction cup or a clip to couple the base portion to the computing device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion is configured in the shape of a bottle cap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion interior regions receives light from exterior of the base portion. ### Claim 15 A code processing method, comprising: reading at least one first information element, via a camera provided with a computing device, from a code through a lens with the lens or the at least one first information element oriented in a respective first position provided with an apparatus; processing, by the computing device, the at least one first information element associated with the code to determine at least one first instruction associated with a software application configured to run on the computing device; executing, by the computing device, the at least one first instruction associated with the application to affect the operation of the application; displaying, by the computing device, the operation of the application as affected by the at least one first instruction; reading at least one second information element, via the camera provided with the computing device, from the code through the lens with the lens or the at least one second information element oriented in a respective second position; processing, by the computing device, the at least one second information element associated with the code to determine at least one second instruction associated with the application configured to run on the computing device; executing, by the computing device, the at least one second instruction associated with the application to affect the operation of the application; and displaying, by the computing device, the operation of the application as affected by the at least one second instruction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising reading at least one third information element, via the camera, from the code through at least one other lens provided with the apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the lens is convex and the at least one other lens is concave. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is configured with a base portion that comprises a platform. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the application is a multi-player game, and further comprising determining, as a function of the at least one first information element or the at least one second information element, at least one player in the multi-player game. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the determining the at least one player is in accordance with information stored in profile. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one first information element and the at least one second information element are the same. ### Claim 22 An apparatus for providing information to a camera associated with a computing device, the apparatus comprising: a base portion having at least a bottomside and an interior region disposed within the base portion and providing an illuminable surface; a machine-readable code supported by the surface; and a lens disposed between the machine-readable code and the bottomside, the base being configured to seat the lens over the camera associated with the computing device; wherein the machine-readable code presents, for reading by the computing device, particular information in response to: the lens permitting light to illuminate at least some of the bottomside of the base portion; the lens being seated over the camera; and the machine-readable code or the lens being provided in a respective orientation.