Mattel makes contactless RFID connection with Innovision R&T

Innovision Research & Technology, a developer of NFC (Near Field Communication) and UHF & HF RFID solutions, is providing the contactless RFID reader and re-writable video tag technology at the heart of Mattel’s new HyperScan hybrid games platform.

Hyperscan combines modern video gaming with classic collector card play. ‘Innovision R&T’s technological edge in RFID technology has enabled a cost and performance breakthrough for low-cost RFID by delivering a mass market contactless card reader/writer and RFID game card tag at significantly lower cost than previously available,’ according to a statement.

Initially, the HyperScan platform appears similar to traditional CD-ROM based television game consoles. However, it features an important new interactive play element, made possible by Innovision R&T’s next generation low-cost RFID reader and tag technology that now makes contactless, re-writable playing cards affordable for games and many other applications. 

Players scan their collectible game cards, each containing an Innovision RFID tag, over the Innovision reader integrated within the HyperScan console and their favorite characters magically come to life on the television screen. During the game, players can pause and scan their game cards to upgrade and enhance their character with modified attributes such as extra strength, amour and special attack. When the game is over, players re-scan their cards and their new winning powers are permanently saved directly onto their Intellicard for use in future game play. 

The collectable game cards, supplied with the HyperScan games, will be available based on a rarity scheme, meaning that players won't know what cards they are getting in their game booster packs, spawning a new trend in powered-up collector card trading.

Marc Borrett, Innovision Research & Technology’s business development director, said: ‘The reader and tag combination for Mattel’s HyperScan is a development of our well-established proprietary IRT1 RFID protocol, and is the first time that this type of smart card technology has been used with a gaming console. It represents an important breakthrough in low-cost RFID technology for games and other applications by demonstrating our capability to deliver a high-quality card reader for a competitive price.’