U.S. patent application number 09/812472 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for toys, software and methods for presenting play surfaces with dynamically adjustable images.
Invention is credited to Jelinek, Lenka M..
Application Number | 20020132553 09/812472 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25209664 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020132553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jelinek, Lenka M. |
September 19, 2002 |
Toys, software and methods for presenting play surfaces with
dynamically adjustable images
Abstract
Toys, software, and methods are provided for presenting surfaces
with dynamically adjustable images for varied play. A side panel
has at least one display that displays the various images. The
display is either attached to the side panel, or integrated with
it. The display may receive data either by cable or wirelessly,
such as by an antenna. The data may be static, and stored in a
memory, or dynamic, such as from television, streaming video, a
video camera, a global computer network, or the like. A detector
may control the display depending on external conditions, or a
position or identity of the toy figurine with respect to the
display.
Inventors: |
Jelinek, Lenka M.;
(Hillsboro, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARGER JOHNSON & McCOLLOM, P.C.
1030 S.W. Morrison Street
Portland
OR
97205
US
|
Family ID: |
25209664 |
Appl. No.: |
09/812472 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63J 19/00 20130101;
A63H 3/52 20130101; A63H 33/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/268 |
International
Class: |
A63J 019/00 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A toy set comprising: at least one side panel having a first
surface, the first surface adapted to simulate a wall to use with a
toy figurine; and a first display that is to be attached to the
first surface, the first display adapted to receive a first set of
image data, and to display a first image responsive to the first
set of image data.
2. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the side panel has a data
connection, and the display receives the first set of image data
through the data connection.
3. The toy set of claim 1, wherein at least one Velcro-type strip
is adapted to attach the first display to the side panel.
4. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the display and the side panel
have at least one protrusion and mating opening, and attachment is
by placing the protrusion in the mating opening.
5. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the first set of image data is
derived from one of a television signal, a streaming video signal,
a video camera, and a global computer network.
6. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the first set of image data is
one of a plurality of sets stored in a memory.
7. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a toy figurine
having a theme related to a theme of the first image.
8. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a stand-alone
controller to transmit the first set of image data to the first
display.
9. The toy set of claim 8, wherein the stand-alone controller is to
adapted to receive inputs from a personal computer.
10. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a transmitting
antenna to transmit the first set of image data; and a receiving
antenna to receive the transmitted first set of image data, the
receiving antenna adapted to be coupled to an input of the
display.
11. The toy set of claim 10, wherein the receiving antenna is
within the side panel.
12. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the display displays the first
image using electronic printed ink.
13. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the display includes light
emitting diodes.
14. The toy set of claim 1, wherein the display includes a
screen.
15. The toy set of claim 14, wherein the screen is one of a color
screen and a liquid crystal display screen.
16. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a light source.
17. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker.
18. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a detector, wherein
the first set of image data is responsive to an output of the
detector.
19. The toy set of claim 18, wherein the detector is a light
sensor.
20. The toy set of claim 18, further comprising: a lamp, wherein
the lamp is controlled responsive to an output of the detector.
21. The toy set of claim 18, wherein the detector is to detect one
of a location or an identity of the toy figurine.
22. The toy set of claim 18, wherein the detector is a pressure
sensor associated with a bottom panel to sense a weight of the toy
figurine.
23. The toy set of claim 18, wherein the toy figurine includes a RF
transponder, and the detector includes an antenna to detect a
return signal from the RF transponder.
24. The toy set of claim 1, further comprising: a second display
adapted to receive a second set of image data, and to display a
second image corresponding to the second set of image data.
25. An article comprising: a storage medium, said storage medium
having stored thereon instructions, that, when executed by at least
one device, result in: waiting to receive a signal output from a
detector indicative of a toy figurine characteristic; and if the
signal is received, transmitting a first set of image data to a
display associated with the side panel to cause the display to
display an image corresponding to the first set of image data.
26. The article of claim 25, wherein transmitting is performed
wirelessly.
27. The article of claim 25, wherein the instructions further
result in: choosing the first set of image data from a plurality of
sets of image data depending on the output of the detector.
28. The article of claim 25, wherein the instructions further
result in: transmitting a detection signal to a RF transponder of
the toy figurine.
29. A method comprising: waiting to receive an output of a detector
about a location of a toy figurine; and if the output is received,
transmitting a first set of image data to a display associated with
the side panel to cause the display to display an image
corresponding to the first set of image data.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein transmitting is performed
wirelessly.
31. The method of claim 29, further comprising: choosing the first
set of image data from a plurality of sets of image data depending
on the output of the detector.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the detector is an antenna, and
further comprising: transmitting a detection signal to a RF
transponder of the toy figurine.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention.
[0002] The present invention is related to the field of toys, and
more specifically to toys, software and methods for presenting play
surfaces with dynamically adjustable images.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art.
[0004] A common type of toy for children is playhouses, which
include dollhouses, play theaters, barnyards, etc. A problem with
this type of toy is that a single playhouse can be used as only one
type of structure. Accordingly, a parent needs to buy a playhouse
for each type of play, which is expensive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a toy set made according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a side panel of the toy set of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a toy set made according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the side panel of the toy set of
FIG. 3.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a toy set made according to yet
another embodiment of invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a toy set made according to one more
embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a toy set made according to an
additional embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the toy set made according to a
further embodiment of invention.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention provides toys, toy sets software and
methods for presenting surfaces with dynamically adjustable images.
Briefly, different images may be used to make a single surface
appear to be different things at different times to a child. A
single toy may thus be used as many different playhouses, and with
many different types of toy figurines. As such, the present
invention is an imagination enabler, not an imagination
substitute.
[0015] Toy sets made according to the invention are now described
in more detail, also referring to embodiments of FIGS. 1-8. Various
features are shown in each of the embodiments. These features are
by way of example, and not of limitation. Indeed, it is possible to
form embodiments of the invention by selectively combining
different features of the various drawings in this document.
[0016] One set of embodiments provides a toy set that includes at
least one substantially flat side panel that has a first surface.
Referring to FIG. 1, toy set 100 includes a side panel 110 that has
a first surface 114. Referring to FIG. 3, toy set 300 includes a
side panel 310 that has a first surface 314. Referring to FIG. 5,
toy set 500 includes a side panel 510 that has a first surface 514.
Referring to FIG. 6, toy set 600 includes a side panel 610 that has
a first surface 614. Referring to FIG. 7, toy set 700 includes a
side panel 710 that has a first surface 714. Referring to FIG. 8,
toy set 800 includes a side panel 810 that has a first surface
314.
[0017] The toy set of the invention may optionally be used with toy
figurines, although the invention is not limited in that regard.
For example, toy set 100 is to be used with figurine 118.
Additionally, toy set 700 maybe used with toy figurine 718, and toy
set 800 may be used with toy figurine 818. In all these examples,
the toy figurines are shown on round bases, although the invention
is not limited in that regard. Alternately, the toy figurines may
be provided with their respective sets. An advantage of the present
invention is that many, diverse toy figurines may be provided with
a single set.
[0018] In these embodiments, the side panel e.g., side panels 110,
310, 510, 610, 710, and 810, is adapted to be placed on a vertical
surface, such that the first surface is substantially upright. The
side panels 110, 310, 510, 610, 710, and 810 alternatively may be
adapted to be placed on a horizontal surface such as when
simulating a floor. Adapting may be in any way known in the art,
and a person skilled in the art will deduce numerous such ways upon
reading the present description. A few such ways are shown in some
of the drawings. More specifically, side panel 110 has protrusions
120 for supporting it in an upright position. Side panel 310 has
bent members 320 for hooking into mating openings (not shown) of
other structures (not shown). In this case, the other structure
could be a support, or even a flat panel that could simulate a
floor. Side panel 510 has bent members 520 for interlocking with
other structures (not shown). In this case, the other structure
could be a support or even a flat panel that could simulate an
adjacent sidewall.
[0019] In most of these embodiments, the first surface is
optionally adapted to simulate a wall of the structure, although
the invention is not limited in this regard. This works well when
the first surface is used in an upright orientation. As an example
of adapting, first surface 114 may simulate wallpaper 124, either
by attaching actual toy wallpaper, or by being appropriately
painted, etc. First surface 314 may be raised to simulate a brick
wall 324. Alternatively, however, the first surface is optionally
adapted to simulate a floor or other surfaces in a given
structure.
[0020] Importantly, the toy set 100, 300, 500, 600, 700 and 800
made according to the invention includes at least one display,
e.g., displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830, respectively.
The displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830 may be made by
any means known in the art, or combinations of such means. For
example, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830 may
include light emitting diodes (LEDs). In another embodiment, the
displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830 may include a
screen. The screen may be a color screen, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) screen, a touch screen, or any other type of screen known in
the art. Alternately, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730,
and 830 may be made by printed electronic ink, which is sometimes
also known as e-ink. Printed electronic ink is any medium that
includes individual pixels that may be activated by electricity.
The electronic ink may be printed directly on the sidewall, or a
special panel of the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and
830. The displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830
alternatively may take the form of whatever surface to which they
are attached. The displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830
alternatively may alternatively be any kind of projection device
including projection televisions and the like.
[0021] In one set of embodiments, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632,
634, 730, and 830 are attached to the first surface 114, 314, 514,
614, 714, and 814, respectively. The displays 130, 330, 530, 632,
634, 730, and 830 may have an area that is smaller or larger than
the area of the corresponding first surface 114, 314, 514, 614,
714, and 814. In some instances, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632,
634, 730, and 830 have an area less than one quarter of the area of
the corresponding first surface 114, 314, 514, 614, 714, and 814.
In other instances, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and
830 have an area substantially coextensive with that of the first
surfaces 114, 314, 514, 614, 714, and 814, respectively.
[0022] Attachment of the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and
830 to the corresponding first surfaces 114, 314, 514, 614, 714,
and 814 may be by any means known in the art. By way of example,
toy set 100 includes display 130, which is attached to first
surface 114 of side panel 110 by means of a Velcro.RTM. type strip
135. By way of another example, toy set 300 includes a display 330.
Display 330 and side panel 310 have at least one protrusion 333 and
a mating opening 336. In embodiment of FIG. 3, it is the display
330 that has protrusions 333, and it is the side panel 310 that has
mating openings 336. Display 330 is attached to first surface 314
by inserting protrusions 333 into mating openings 336 in the
direction of arrow 339. Equivalently, the display 330 may have the
mating openings 336, and the side panel 310 may have the
protrusions 333.
[0023] In another set of embodiments shown in FIG. 5, display 530
is made from electronic ink printed directly on the first surface
514. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, displays 632 and
634 are embedded in side panel 610, such that only a top surface is
visible, and optionally part of first surface 614. Displays 730 and
830 are similarly embedded in side panels 710, 810. A person
skilled in the art should understand the word attached as used
herein to mean any means by which a display is coupled to its
corresponding side panel, that is, where a display is attached,
embedded, integrally formed on side panel, and the like.
[0024] The displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830 are
adapted to display various images. The images may include a
fireplace image, a window view image, etc. For example, display 632
may display an image of a window view 642, while display 634 may
display an image of a fireplace 644.
[0025] In instances where the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634,
730, and 830 cover the entire corresponding first surfaces 114,
314, 514, 614, 714, and 814, the image may also be that of an
outdoor image. For example, display 730 may display an image of a
soccer field 740 giving the illusion of depth.
[0026] In other instances where the displays 130, 330, 530, 632,
634, 730, and 830 cover at least much of the first surfaces 114,
314, 514, 614, 714, and 814, respectively, the image may be that of
an entire wall. The wall image may be one of a castle wall, a
hospital wall, a school wall, a home wall, a shop wall, or an
outdoor image. Alternately, the image may give the illusion of
depth. For example, display 830 may project an image of the theater
stage 840.
[0027] The displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830 display
the image responsive to a received set of image data. Accordingly,
the image may be static or dynamic, in other words changing with
time, depending on the data. In some embodiments, the image data is
stored in a memory. Many sets of image data may be stored in the
memory. In these cases, if any toy figurines are provided, they
have a theme related to the theme of the image. For example, the
image of soccer field 740 matches the theme of toy figurine 718,
which is a soccer player. In addition, the image of the theater
stage 840 matches the theme of toy figurine 818, which is a
dancer.
[0028] In some embodiments, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634,
730, and 830 receive image data that is dynamically changing. For
example, the image data may be derived from a television signal, a
streaming video signal, a video camera, a global computer network,
etc.
[0029] In some embodiments, multiple displays are provided. In
addition, the displays 130, 330, 530, 632, 634, 730, and 830 may
receive coordinated images. For example, the window view image 642
may be coordinated with the fireplace view image 644 shown in FIG.
6. When the window view image 642 becomes dark, the fireplace view
image 644 may show a lit fire.
[0030] In some embodiments, the image data is generated internally.
For example, toy set 600 includes a light sensor 660. Light sensor
660 may be placed on the back surface of side panel 610, although
the invention is not limited in that regard. Light sensor 660
senses the amount of illumination, and accordingly controls
displays 632 and 634. In other embodiments, the image data is
delivered to the display. This can be performed by any way known in
the art. For example, image data may be delivered by way of
coupling to a global computer network such as the Internet.RTM..
Many such ways will become apparent to the person skilled in the
art in view of the present description, and also in view of the
nature and the requirements of the display and its image data.
[0031] In some embodiments, the side panels 110, 310, 410, 510,
610, 710, and 810 may include a data connection e.g., opening 150
of FIG. 1, for receiving image data. The displays 130, 330, 530,
632, 634, 730, and 830 may be coupled to a corresponding data
connection. For example, side panel 110 has the data connection
150. In addition, mating openings 336 in side panel 310 may be
considered data connections. In that case, it is advantageous that
at least some of the protrusions 333 are metallic, so that they may
carry the data to the display 330.
[0032] In other embodiments, the image data is delivered to the
display e.g., display 130, by a cable e.g., cable 154 shown in FIG.
1. Cable 154 optionally goes to data connection 150, although that
is not necessary. As another example, image data is delivered to
display 330 via a cable 354, directly from a personal computer 376
as shown in FIG. 3. Cable 354 may terminate in a connector 356.
Connector 356 may be a serial port, although the invention is not
limited in that regard. Connector 356 may plug into a suitable
mating port 358, which may be located in the side panel 310.
Similarly, image data is delivered to display 710 via a cable 754
as shown in FIG. 7 or to display 810 via a cable 854 as shown in
FIG. 8.
[0033] In yet other embodiments, the image data is delivered to the
display wirelessly. This may be performed in any way known in the
art. For example, toy set 500 includes a transmitting antenna 562
and receiving antenna 564 as shown in FIG. 5. The receiving antenna
564 may be inside the side panel 510, although the invention is not
limited in that regard. The receiving antenna 564 is adapted to be
coupled to an input of the display 530. The transmitting antenna
562, and the receiving antenna 564 may be transmitting radio
frequency (RF) waves 566. Alternately and equivalently, they could
be transmitting infrared (IR) light.
[0034] Optionally the invention also includes a stand-alone
controller e.g., controller 670 transmits the image data to the
display 632, 634. By stand-alone it is meant that the controller is
distinct from a personal computer. It may be advantageous to
provide the controller e.g., controller 670, for driving the
display e.g., display 632, 634 and other devices, such as the lamp
780 (FIG. 7) (the lamp 780 may alternatively be any type of light
source), the speaker 880 (FIG. 8), the antenna 562 (FIG. 5), etc.
This may eliminate any unusual power requirements from an
associated personal computer.
[0035] The stand-alone controller e.g., controller 670, may
optionally be adapted to operate by itself. For example, controller
670 is entirely within the side panel 610, although the invention
is not limited in that regard. In addition, toy set 800 includes a
controller 870 that may have controls that select a desired
image.
[0036] The stand-alone controller e.g., controller 570, may
optionally receive inputs from a personal computer e.g., personal
computer 576, although the invention is not limited in that regard.
For example, toy set 100 includes a controller 170 that receives
inputs from a personal computer 176. Toy set 500 includes a
controller 570 that receives inputs from a personal computer 576,
and communicates with a suitable unit 572 of sidewall 510. Unit 572
can be placed entirely within sidewall 510, although the invention
is not limited in that regard. Toy set 700 includes a controller
770 that receives inputs from a personal computer 776, and
communicates with a suitable unit 772 of sidewall 10. In these
cases, the stand-alone controller may be operated by commands from
the associated personal computer. The images, therefore, are
controlled by the personal computer. Using the personal computer in
connection with the controller permits greater versatility in the
images. In addition, later generated images may be downloaded for
play.
[0037] Optionally a toy set according to the invention may include
a lighting source e.g., lamp 780, although the invention is not
limited in that regard. The lamp 780 may be provided in an
appropriate stand, commensurate with the dimensions of the toy
figurine 718. The lamp 780 may be turned on and off, in agreement
with a theme of the display. For example, a toy lamp 780 may
receive inputs from a light sensor 660 (shown in FIG. 6), to come
on when certain environmental conditions are met, for example, when
it is dark. In FIG. 7, the lamp 780 receives input from controller
770.
[0038] Optionally a toy set according to the invention may also
include an audio device e.g., speaker 880 shown in FIG. 8, although
the invention is not limited in that regard. The speaker 880 may be
sized and shaped commensurately with a size of figurine 818. The
speaker may receive inputs from a personal computer or stand-alone
controller to play sounds in accordance with a theme of the
display, although the invention is not limited in that regard. In
FIG. 8, the speaker 880 receives inputs from controller 870.
[0039] In addition, a toy set according to the invention may
optionally include a detector e.g., light sensor 660. The detector
may be used to sense certain environmental conditions, for example,
light sensor 660 may be used to detect whether it is dark or cold.
The image data may be responsive to the detector, for example, if
the light sensor 660 senses that it is cold outside then the image
data may be that of a fire in a fireplace as shown in FIG. 6.
[0040] Alternately, the detector e.g., antenna 792, may be used to
detect a characteristic e.g., location or identification, of a toy
figurine e.g., toy figurine 718. If the detector detects a location
it may be with respect to the side panel e.g., side panel 710, and
ultimately with respect to the display e.g., display 730. The
display may then react to the characteristic detected e.g.,
presence or identification of the toy figurine, by showing an
appropriate image. For example, toy set 700 includes an antenna 792
and an RF transponder 794. Antenna 792 transmits a detection
signal, and then detects a return signal (not shown) from the RF
transponder 794. The controller 770 or computer 776 may process the
return signal (not shown) from the RF transponder 794 to determine
the where the toy figurine 718 is located. Alternatively, the
controller 770 or computer 776 may process the return signal (not
shown) from the RF transponder 794 to determine what kind of toy is
toy figurine 718. That is, the RF transponder 794 may transmit a
return signal (not shown) unique to toy figurine 718 or it may
transmit a return signal (not shown) unique to a group of toy
figurines of which toy figurine 718 is a member. In another
example, toy set 800 includes a pressure sensor 892 as part of a
floor panel 894. Pressure sensor 892 senses the weight of toy
figurine 818 that is indicative of not only presence of the toy
figuring 818 but of the type of toy figurine 818 (a ballerina in
FIG. 8), and in turn may cause display 830 to display the image of
the theater stage 840.
[0041] It is readily apparent that one or more devices that include
logic circuitry may implement the present invention. A device that
includes a dedicated processor system that may include a
microcontroller or a microprocessor may also implement the
invention.
[0042] The invention additionally provides methods. Some of these
methods have been described above, and relate mostly to play
methods. Others are described below. Moreover, the invention
provides apparatus that performs, or assists in performing the
methods of the invention. This apparatus may be specially
constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a
general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a
computer program stored in the computer. The methods and algorithms
presented herein are not necessarily inherently related to any
particular computer or other apparatus. In particular, various
general-purpose machines may be used with programs in accordance
with the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to
construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method
steps. The required structure for a variety of these machines will
appear from this description.
[0043] Useful machines or articles for performing the operations of
the present invention include general-purpose digital computers or
other similar devices. In all cases, there should be borne in mind
the distinction between the method of operating a computer and the
method of computation itself. The present invention relates also to
method steps for operating a computer and for processing electrical
or other physical signals to generate other desired physical
signals.
[0044] The invention additionally provides a program, and a method
of operation of the program. The program is most advantageously
implemented as a program for a computing machine, such as a
general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a
microprocessor, etc.
[0045] The invention also provides a storage medium that has the
program of the invention stored thereon. The storage medium is a
computer-readable medium, such as a memory, and is read by the
computing machine mentioned above. For example, personal computer
176 includes a memory 190, stand-alone controller 570 includes a
memory 590, and stand-alone controller 870 includes a memory 890.
In addition, a controller such as controller 670 may be implemented
with a memory, or may not.
[0046] A program is generally defined as a sequence of steps
leading to a desired result. These steps, also known as
instructions, are those requiring physical manipulations of
physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these
quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable
of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise
manipulated or processed. When stored, they may be stored in any
computer-readable medium. It is convenient at times, principally
for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits,
data bits, samples, values, elements, symbols, characters, images,
terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however,
that all of these and similar terms are associated with the
appropriate physical quantities, and that these terms are merely
convenient labels applied to these physical quantities.
[0047] This detailed description is presented largely in terms of
flowcharts, display images, algorithms, and symbolic
representations of operations of data bits within a computer
readable medium, such as a memory. Such descriptions and
representations are the type of convenient labels used by those
skilled in programming and/or the data processing arts to
effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in
the art. A person skilled in the art of programming may use this
description to readily generate specific instructions for
implementing a program according to the present invention. For the
sake of economy, however, flowcharts used to describe methods of
the invention are not repeated in this document for describing
software according to the invention.
[0048] Often, for the sake of convenience only, it is preferred to
implement and describe a program as various interconnected distinct
software modules or features, collectively also known as software.
This is not necessary, however, and there may be cases where
modules are equivalently aggregated into a single program with
unclear boundaries. In any event, the software modules or features
of the present invention may be implemented by themselves, or in
combination with others. Even though it is said that the program
may be stored in a computer-readable medium, it should be clear to
a person skilled in the art that it need not be a single memory, or
even a single machine. Various portions, modules or features of it
may reside in separate memories, or even separate machines. The
separate machines may be connected directly, or through a network,
such as a local access network (LAN), or a global network, such as
the Internet.
[0049] In the present case, methods of the invention are
implemented by machine operations. In other words, embodiments of
the program of the invention are made such that they perform
methods of the invention that are described in this document. These
may be optionally performed in conjunction with one or more human
operators performing some, but not all of them. As described above,
the users need not be collocated with each other, but each only
with a machine that houses a portion of the program. Alternately,
some of these machines may operate automatically, without users
and/or independently from each other.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart 900 is used to
illustrate a method according to embodiments of the invention. The
method is for controlling an image of the display depending on a
position of a toy figurine with respect to the display.
[0051] According to an optional box 910, a detection signal is
transmitted to a RF transponder of a toy figurine. The detection
signal is transmitted by an activated antenna.
[0052] According to a next box 920, it is inquired whether a return
signal has been detected by a detector. According to one
embodiment, the return signal is generated from the RF transponder
of a toy figurine, and the detector is the antenna itself. In
another embodiment, the detector is a pressure sensor. If the
return signal has not been detected, execution returns to box 910,
effectively waiting for a returned signal to be detected.
[0053] If yes, then according to an optional box 930, a set of
image data is chosen, depending on the output of the detector. It
may be chosen among a number of sets of image data. In another
embodiment, there is only one set of image data, and that is the
set that is chosen.
[0054] According to a next box 940, the chosen image data is
transmitted to the display, to display the image. In one
embodiment, transmitting is performed wirelessly, such as by RF
signals or by infrared signals.
[0055] A person skilled in the art will be able to practice the
present invention in view of the description present in this
document, which is to be taken as a whole. Numerous details have
been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of
the invention. In other instances, well-known features have not
been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the
invention.
[0056] While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense. Indeed, it
should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of
the present description that the invention may be modified in
numerous ways. The inventor regards the subject matter of the
invention to include all combinations and sub-combinations of the
various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed
herein.
[0057] The following claims define certain combinations and
sub-combinations, which are regarded as novel and non-obvious.
Additional claims for other combinations and sub-combinations of
features, functions, elements and/or properties may be presented in
this or a related document.
* * * * *