U.S. Patent no. 10,286,328: Modular accessory for video gaming

Issued May 14, 2019, to Ubisoft Entertainment
Priority Date June 9, 2016

Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 10,286,328 (the ‘328 Patent) relates to a video game and toy hybrid. This toy can be physically manipulated to alter the player’s in-game avatar. The ‘328 Patent attempts to bridge the disconnect between the real world and the player’s in-game character. This toy can be reconfigured to alter the capabilities of the in-game avatar. The modular toy comprises a number of additional add-ons that can be attached to it which affect the character. The toy is mounted on top of the controller and a computer then reads the connection and alters the in-game avatar depending on the configuration. This invention is also able to further increase engagement with the video game.

Abstract:
Systems and method for using a modular game accessory to play a video game. A smart toy is presented that can be reconfigured by the player on the fly while playing the video game by adding and removing modules. When the smart toy is reconfigured, the capabilities of the player’s in-game avatar are modified accordingly. In this way, the smart toy exists as a hybrid of a physical toy and video game avatar. Modules for modifying the smart toy can represent components and crew of the vehicle represented by the smart toy, and different modules can offer different capabilities to the in-game avatar.

Illustrative Claim:
1. A system for playing a video game, comprising: a modular game accessory comprising: a base unit including a plurality of slots for attaching add-on modules; a plurality of add-on modules, each add-on module attachable to the base unit in a tree topology, wherein each of the plurality of add-on modules attached to the base unit is electrically coupled to the base unit to provide power to the add-on module and communication with the base unit; a mount for mounting the modular game accessory to a video game controller, wherein the video game controller includes motion controls; one or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, allow a player to control an in-game avatar in the video game by physically manipulating modular game accessory such that a motion of the in-game avatar reflect a motion of the modular game accessory and controller, wherein the motion of the modular game accessory is transferred to the video game controller via the mount, wherein the transferred motion of the modular game accessory is detected by the motion controls of the video game controller, wherein the motion of the modular game accessory detected by the motion controls of the video game controller are communicated a video game console by the video game controller, wherein an appearance and one or more capabilities of the in-game avatar are determined by the modular game accessory connected to the video game controller while playing the video game, wherein each of the plurality of the add-on modules connected to the base unit affects at least one capability of the in-game avatar.