An interactive gaming toy is provided for playing a game having both physical and virtual gameplay elements. The gaming toy comprises a physical toy, such as a toy wand, doll or action figure, having an RFID tag pre-programmed with a unique identifier that identifies the toy within an associated computer-animated game. The RFID tag stores information describing certain attributes or abilities of a corresponding virtual character or object in the computer-animated game. Additional information may be stored on the RFID tag as the corresponding virtual character evolves or changes over time based on player performance and/or gameplay progression. The interactive gaming toy thus allows developed character attributes and the like to be stored and easily transported to other games and compatible gaming platforms. One or more optional auxiliary components may be attached to the gaming toy to selectively create a modified gaming toy having additional desired functionality and/or aesthetics.

An information reading system performs near field communication with an information storage medium. The information reading system includes: an antenna structure including a plurality of antenna coils, each arranged across at least one of the others and each having a reading area; and a computer processor configured to perform near field communication with the information storage medium in each reading area, thereby reading information from the information storage medium in proximity to the reading area.

A mahjong tile includes a main body, a cover, a magnet, an induction chip, and a transparent board. The main body has a chip trough at an inner side thereof, connecting poles protruding from a top surface thereof, and a tile face trough at a bottom thereof. The cover corresponds to the main body and has connecting holes and an accommodation trough at a bottom thereof. The magnet is accommodated in the accommodation trough. Upper and lower ends of the magnet are magnet poles of the magnet. The induction chip is for a sensor to read the suite and numeric of the mahjong tile. The magnet of the mahjong tile supplies magnetism, enabling the mahjong tile to be delivered for playing a computer game with the amusement of the real mahjong tile. This can prevent the players from touching the tiles and increase the fairness of the game.

A mahjong tile includes a main body, a cover, a magnet, an induction chip, and a transparent board. The main body has a chip trough at an inner side thereof, connecting poles protruding from a top surface thereof, and a tile face trough at a bottom thereof. The cover corresponds to the main body and has connecting holes and an accommodation trough at a bottom thereof. The magnet is accommodated in the accommodation trough. Upper and lower ends of the magnet are magnet poles of the magnet. The induction chip is for a sensor to read the suite and numeric of the mahjong tile. The magnet of the mahjong tile supplies magnetism, enabling the mahjong tile to be delivered for playing a computer game with the amusement of the real mahjong tile. This can prevent the players from touching the tiles and increase the fairness of the game.

An electronic card game system and method using NFC or RFID electromagnetic communication, including an initiator having a driving coil, a first card having a secondary coil with a capacitor, and a playing piece having a receiving coil. The initiator and the first card may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the driving coil and at least a portion of the secondary coil overlap. Similarly, the first card and the playing piece may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the receiving coil and at least a second portion of the secondary coil overlap. These overlapped coils allow a driving signal initiated at the driving coil to be transmitted through the secondary coil and received by the receiving coil.

A digitizer system comprises at least one object incorporating an electronic tag configured for radiating at least one modulated signal and at least one second signal; a digitizer sensor configured for detecting the at least one second signal while the object is positioned on or over the digitizer sensor; and circuitry configured for identifying the object based on modulation of the at least one modulated signal and for determining a position of the object on or over the digitizer based on the detected second signal on a portion of the digitizer sensor.

An information processing system includes an information storage medium and an information processing apparatus for performing near field communication with the information storage medium. The information processing apparatus includes: at least one antenna coil; and a computer processor configured to: perform near field communication with the information storage medium via the antenna coil, thereby reading information from the information storage medium in proximity to the antenna coil; detect an orientation of the information storage medium that can perform the near field communication; and perform predetermined processing using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium.

An interactive gaming toy is provided for playing a game having both physical and virtual gameplay elements. The gaming toy comprises a physical toy, such as a toy wand, doll or action figure, having an RFID tag pre-programmed with a unique identifier that identifies the toy within an associated computer-animated game. The RFID tag stores information describing certain attributes or abilities of a corresponding virtual character or object in the computer-animated game. Additional information may be stored on the RFID tag as the corresponding virtual character evolves or changes over time based on player performance and/or gameplay progression. The interactive gaming toy thus allows developed character attributes and the like to be stored and easily transported to other games and compatible gaming platforms. One or more optional auxiliary components may be attached to the gaming toy to selectively create a modified gaming toy having additional desired functionality and/or aesthetics.

A chess-like piece positioning and recognition system, including: an MCU, an RFID module, multi-channel analog switches, an electromagnet and communication signal switch unit, an electromagnetic drive unit, antennas, silicon steel blocks, and pieces. The MCU is used for communication with the RFID module, selecting channels of the multi-channel analog switches, and electromagnet and communication signal switch selection. The RFID module is used for reading information from the pieces. The multi-channel analog switches are used for group gating and intra-group channel gating of the RF channels. The electromagnet and communication signal switch unit is used for switching between the electromagnetic drive unit and the RF channels. The electromagnetic drive unit is used for driving an electromagnet. The antenna is used for sending and receiving signals from the pieces and also serves as the coil for the electromagnet. The silicon steel block is used as the core of the electromagnet, which generates a magnetic attraction to the pieces after being magnetized.

A chess-like piece positioning and recognition system, including: an MCU, an RFID module, multi-channel analog switches, an electromagnet and communication signal switch unit, an electromagnetic drive unit, antennas, silicon steel blocks, and pieces. The MCU is used for communication with the RFID module, selecting channels of the multi-channel analog switches, and electromagnet and communication signal switch selection. The RFID module is used for reading information from the pieces. The multi-channel analog switches are used for group gating and intra-group channel gating of the RF channels. The electromagnet and communication signal switch unit is used for switching between the electromagnetic drive unit and the RF channels. The electromagnetic drive unit is used for driving an electromagnet. The antenna is used for sending and receiving signals from the pieces and also serves as the coil for the electromagnet. The silicon steel block is used as the core of the electromagnet, which generates a magnetic attraction to the pieces after being magnetized.