U.S. patent application number 10/436981 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for object recognition toys and games.
Invention is credited to Beck, Stephen C..
Application Number | 20040229696 10/436981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46301298 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040229696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beck, Stephen C. |
November 18, 2004 |
Object recognition toys and games
Abstract
A toy or game play apparatus or method involving a powered host
such as a doll or a tablet which operates interactively in a mode
of play with one or more non-powered play objects. The host has a
preprogrammed microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator
circuit. Each play object has a RFID tag IC. Each tag IC has a
memory holding digital data that includes at least ID information
different from that of the other play objects. When the host and a
play object are positioned so as to afford RF communication between
them, the host can send power to energize the tag IC of the play
object. This causes the tag IC to transmit data including at least
its ID information back to the host. The host recognizes that
transmitted data and makes a presentation in accordance with the
mode of play to the user caused by that transmitted data. In one
mode the play objects may have a variable aspect, and the host
determines and makes a user presentation based on the then current
state of the variable aspect.
Inventors: |
Beck, Stephen C.; (Berkeley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH, STEWART, KOLASCH & BIRCH, LLP
10940 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES
CA
90024-4450
US
|
Family ID: |
46301298 |
Appl. No.: |
10/436981 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/98 20140902;
A63H 2200/00 20130101; A63F 3/00643 20130101; A63H 3/28 20130101;
A63F 2009/2429 20130101; A63F 9/001 20130101; A63F 2009/2439
20130101; A63F 2300/69 20130101; A63F 2009/2433 20130101; A63F
3/00075 20130101; A63F 2009/2489 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/040 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toy or game play apparatus comprising: a plurality of play
objects each having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of said
tag ICs having a memory that stores digital data that includes at
least specific identification information that is different from
that of the other said objects, and at least one powered master
unit that includes a micro-controller and a RFID
reader/interrogator circuit, said master unit and said play object
having an appearance consistent with a mode of play between them,
said master unit being operable, when at least a selected one of
said play objects is in position in a localized detection region
relative to said master unit so as to afford remote wireless RF
communication between said master unit circuit and the tag IC of
that selected play object, but without requiring physical contact
between said master unit and that play object, to send power to
energize that tag IC to enable that tag IC to transmit digital data
at that time back to said master unit, said data transmitted by
said tag IC including at least some of said specific identification
information, all of said tag ICs transmitting at the same
frequency, said master unit being operable to recognize said data
transmitted from said tag IC and to make a presentation to a user
at least partially caused by that transmitted data, said
presentation being supportive of play by the user with the toy or
game play apparatus in accordance with said mode of play.
2. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein, when a
plurality of said play objects are generally concurrently
positioned in a detection region relative to said master unit, said
master unit is capable of sequentially energizing said tag ICs of
said play objects so as to cause each of said play objects, as it
is energized, to transmit as least some of its specific information
data back to said master unit.
3. The toy and game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
presentation comprises at least in part at least some of said
transmitted data from the tag ICs.
4. The toy and game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said master
unit has stored data and said presentation comprises at least in
part data stored on said master unit.
5. The toy and game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said master
unit also includes a visual display for making said presentations
in visual form to the user caused by the data from the tab ICs.
6. The toy and game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said master
unit also includes an audio sound presenting unit for making
presentations in audible form to the user caused at least in part
by the data from the tag ICs.
7. The toy and game play apparatus of claim 6 wherein said audio
sound presenting unit includes an amplifier and a speaker.
8. The toy and game play apparatus of claim 7 wherein said audio
sound presenting unit also includes a voice synthesizer.
9. The toy apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said tag ICs
includes writeable memory, and said master RFID unit is operable to
write new data to said tag memory.
10. The toy apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said tag ICs
includes rewriteable memory, and said master unit is capable of
changing the data in said tag memory.
11. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said master
unit is operable to present directions to the user regarding the
positioning of one or more of said play objects relative to said
master unit, to make a determination, based on data transmitted
back by said positioned play object, whether or not that positioned
play object has been positioned correctly, and to include in said
presentation the results of said determination.
12. The toy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said master unit includes
a plurality of master antennae that are physically spaced apart,
said master antennae being rapidly sequentially operable by said
master unit so as to enable said master unit to recognize which if
any of said play objects is in the detection region of each said
master antenna, said master unit being operable to act upon that
recognition.
13. The toy and game apparatus of claim 12 wherein said master unit
is operable to present instructions to the user regarding the
positioning of one or more of said play objects relative to one or
more of said master antennae, to recognize, based on data
transmitted by positioned play objects, the resultant play object
positioning at to each of said master antenna, and to make said
presentation to the user include the results of such
positioning.
14. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said
play objects includes visual indicia that is different from that of
the other play objects, and each of said visual indicia correlate
with the specific data on the associated play object.
15. A method of playing with a toy or game play apparatus
comprising: 1) providing a plurality of play objects each having a
non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of the tag ICs having a memory
which stores digital data that includes at least specific
information that is different for each of the play objects, 2)
providing a powered master unit that includes a microcontroller and
a RFID reader/interrogator circuit, the play objects and master
unit having an appearance consistent with a mod of play between
them, the master unit being operable, when at least one of the play
objects is in position in a localized detection region relative to
said master unit such as will afford remote wireless RF
communication between the master unit reader/interrogator circuit
and the tag IC of that selected play object, but without requiring
physical contact between the master unit and that play object, to
send power to energize that tag IC to cause that tag IC to transmit
at that time at least its specific information data back to the
master unit, the master unit being operable to recognize that
transmitted data and to make a presentation to a user at least
partially caused by that transmitted data, said presentation being
supportive of play by the user with the toy or game play apparatus
in accordance with said mode of play, 3) positioning the master
unit and at least one of the play objects relative to one another
so that the positioned play object is in the detection region
relative to the master unit, 4) causing the master unit to send
power to energize that positioned play object for data transmission
by that play object back to the master unit, 5) causing the master
unit to make a supportive presentation to the user at least
partially based on the transmitted data, and 6) repeating steps 3),
4) and 5).
16. The play method of claim 15 further including having the master
unit direct the user to take a specified action with one or more of
the play objects, and having the presentation advise the user of
the adequacy or inadequacy of the action that was taken by the
user.
17. The play method of claim 15 wherein each of the tag ICs
includes writeable memory, said method further including the step
of having the master unit write new data onto the memory of the
play object tag IC.
18. The play method of claim 15 wherein each of the tag ICs
includes rewriteable memory, said method further including the step
of having the master unit rewrite the data in the memory of the
play object tag IC.
19. Toy or game play apparatus comprising: a main object designed
and arranged for interactive use with a plurality of play objects,
each of said play objects having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC,
each of said tag ICs having a memory that holds digital data that
includes at least specific information that is different from that
of the other of said play objects, said main object being
operatively associated with a powered master unit that includes a
microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit and a
plurality of master antennae, said master antennae being located at
a plurality of spaced apart positions on said main object, said
master unit being operable, when a selected one of said play
objects is in a localized detection region relative to one of said
master antennae such as will afford RF communication between said
master unit circuit and the tag IC of that selected play object,
but without requiring physical contact between said master unit and
that play object, to send power to energize that tag IC to cause
that tag IC to transmit at least some of its specific information
data back to said master unit, said master unit also being operable
to recognize that transmitted data and to make a presentation to
the user of the toy or game play apparatus caused at least in part
by that transmitted data, said master unit being operable to
successively activate one of said master antennae at a time, and
said master unit being operable to recognize which if any of the
play objects is in the detection region of each master antenna, and
to control said presentation to the user accordingly.
20. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 19 wherein said master
unit is operable to direct the user to position one or more play
objects relative to the toy figure, to make a determination, based
on data transmitted by positioned objects, whether or not each play
object has been positioned as directed, and to include in the
presentation to the user the results of said determination.
21. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 19 wherein said master
unit represents a figure with a plurality of extremities, one of
said master antennae being located at each of said figure
extremities.
22. Toy or game play apparatus comprising: a plurality of play
objects each having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of said
tag ICs having a memory that stores digital data that includes at
least specific information that is different from that of the other
of said play objects, a powered master unit that includes a
microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuits, said
master unit being operable, when a plurality of said play objects
are positioned so that those play objects are in the localized
detection region relative to said master unit such as will afford
RF communication between said master unit circuit and the tag ICs
of those play objects, to sequentially send power to energize those
tag ICs to cause each of those tag ICs to sequentially transmit at
least some of its specific information data back to said master
unit, said master unit also being operable to recognize all of that
transmitted data and to make a presentation to a user of the toy or
game play apparatus caused at least in part by that transmitted
data, said presentation being supportive of play in accordance with
a mode of play, said presentation appearing to a user to be a
generally simultaneous as to all of said positioned play
objects.
23. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 22 wherein each of said
play object includes visual indicia that is different from that of
the other play objects, and each of said visual indicia correlate
with the specific data on the associated play object.
24. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 23 wherein said master
unit has a plurality of spaced apart master antennae each defining
a localized detection region, and said master unit is operable to
direct the user to position one or more play objects relative to a
specified localized detection region, to make a determination,
based on data transmitted by positioned objects, whether or not
each play object has been positioned as directed, the presentation
to the user the reflecting said determination.
25. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 22 wherein said master
unit includes a generally horizontal support surface for supporting
said plurality of play objects, said master unit having at least
one master antenna located below said support surface.
26. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 25 wherein said master
antenna is arranged generally parallel to said support surface, and
each of said play objects has a generally flat bottom face for
resting upon said support surface, each of said play object antenna
being disposed generally parallel with the associated bottom face
of its play object.
27. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 25 wherein said play
objects are three dimensional and each have a plurality of
generally flat face, said antenna of each of said play objects
being disposed within its play object at an angle to said support
faces of its play object, whereby said play object antenna can
effectively couple with a master antenna adjacent to which that
play object is disposed regardless of which support face of that
play object rests upon the support surface.
28. Toy or game play apparatus comprising: at least one play object
having at least one variable aspect, said play object having a
non-self-powered RFID tag IC, said tag IC including a writeable
memory that stores digital data representing the current state of
said variable aspect, and a powered host unit that includes a
microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit, said host
unit being operable, when one of said play objects is positioned in
a localized detection region relative to said host unit such as
will afford remote wireless RF communication between said host unit
circuit and the tag IC of that play object, but without requiring
physical contact between said host unit and that play object, to
send power to energize said tag IC to enable said tag IC to
transmit data at that time back to said to said host unit, said tag
IC being capable of receiving new digital data about a different
current state of said variable aspect and storing such new data in
its writable memory, said host unit also being operable to
recognize data transmitted from that play object and to make a
presentation to a user relating to the then current state of said
variable aspect to implement play by the user with the toy or game
play apparatus related to said variable aspect.
29. The toy or game apparatus of claim 28 further including a
second host unit that includes a second microcontroller, a second
RFID reader/interrogator circuit, said second host unit being
operable, when an play object is in position in a localized
detection region relative to said second host such as will afford
RF communication between said second host unit circuit and the tag
IC of that play object, but without requiring physical contact
between said second host unit and that play object, to send power
to energize said tag IC to cause said tag IC to transmit data as to
said variable aspect back to said second host unit, said second
host unit being operable to recognize that transmitted data, and to
change said data relating to said variable aspect of that play
object in that play object's writeable memory.
30. The toy or game apparatus of claim 29 wherein said variable
aspect has a quantitative dimension, said first host unit being
operable to progressively reduce the quantity of the aspect of that
selected play object, and said second host unit is operable to
replenish the quantity of the aspect of that selected play
object.
31. The toy or game apparatus of claim 29 wherein said play object
represents a container and said variable aspect is the quantity of
a virtual play substance in said container.
32. A toy or game play apparatus comprising: at least one play
object having a RFID tag IC with a writable memory; a master play
unit including a microprocessor for writing data to and reading
data from the memory, said play object and master play unit having
an appearance compatible with a mode of play between them; and
programming in at least the master play unit for bidirectional RF
transmission between the master play unit and the play object to
implement said mode of play.
33. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 32 wherein there are a
plurality of said play objects, each of which has a memory
containing specific data that is different from that of said other
play objects.
34. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 33 wherein said
programming causes transmission of at least some of said specific
data back to said master play unit, recognizes that transmitted
data from each of said play objects, and reacts accordingly.
35. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 32 wherein said play
object has specific data, said programming causes transmission of
at least some of said specific data back to said master play unit,
recognizes that transmitted data from said play object, and
provides a presentation to a user of the apparatus caused by that
transmitted data.
36. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 35 wherein programming
causes at least some of that transmitted data to be included in
said presentation.
37. The toy or game play apparatus of claim 33 wherein each of said
play object includes visual indicia that is different from that of
the other play objects, and each of said visual indicia correlate
with the specific data on the associated play object.
38. Play apparatus comprising first and second play objects having
appearances consistent with a mode of play between such objects and
respectively comprising: first and second wireless RFID information
transceivers, said second transceiver being non-self powered, the
first and the second transceivers being positionable for remote
mutual digital date-transmission contact; first and second circuits
operating first and second programs; a writable memory in the
second play object for holding digital data, means in the first
play object, controlled by the first program, for writing to and
reading from the memory in the second play object with which the
first play object is in data-transmission contact, through their
transceivers; and means in the first play object, controlled by the
first program and by the written or read data, or both, for
indicating to a user information for implementing play by the user
with the objects in accordance with said mode of play.
39. The play apparatus of claim 38 wherein there are a plurality of
said second play objects, each of which has a memory containing
specific data that is different from that of the other second play
objects.
40. A method of play comprising: providing at least one play object
having a RFID tag IC with a writable memory; providing a master
play unit including a microprocessor for writing data to and
reading data from the memory, said play object and master play unit
having an appearance compatible with a mode of play between them;
causing bidirectional RF transmission between the master play unit
and the play object; providing to a user a presentation based at
least in part on data from the play object provided by said
bidirectional RF transmission, said presentation serving to
implement said mode of play.
41. The method of claim 40 further comprising providing additional
play objects, each of which has a memory containing specific data
that is different from that of the other play objects.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein: Said play objects all include
fixed frequency devices that all operate at the same frequency.
43. The method of claim 42 wherein: said master unit communicates
apparently simultaneously with all of the play objects of the
plurality.
44. The method of claim 40, wherein: the mode of play is in
accordance with a specific play theme.
45. Play apparatus comprising: first and second play objects,
respectively comprising: first and second wireless information
transceivers in mutual data-transmission contact, and first and
second circuits operating first and second programs; and a writable
memory in the second play object for holding data representing the
current condition of a variable virtual play substance; means in
the first play object, controlled by the first program, for writing
to or reading from the memory, or both, through the transceivers;
indicating means in the first play object, controlled by the first
program and by the written or read data, or both, for indicating to
a user a play characteristic derived from the then current
condition of the variable virtual play substance, such indicated
play characteristic being supportive of play by the user with the
play apparatus in accordance with a mode of play.
46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein: the mode of play is in
accordance with a specific play theme.
47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein: according to the play
theme, the first object is configured as a worker in a particular
job and the second object as an implement used by such a worker in
doing that particular job.
48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein: according to the mode of
play, the first object is configured as a doll and the second
object as an accessory of the doll.
49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein: the variable virtual play
substance is selected from the group consisting of: play food or
drink for the doll; play money for the doll; documents evidencing
property ownership by the doll; play resources transferred by the
doll to the second object for storage; and play resources
transferred by the doll to the second object for transfer to a
third play object.
50. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein: said indicated play
characteristic comprises a remaining amount of the variable virtual
play substance, before or after interaction between the first and
second objects.
51. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein; said play characteristic
comprises a response to the current condition of variable virtual
play substance.
52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the first object is
configured as a character and the response is selected from the
group consisting of: indicated play hunger, thirst or satiation;
indicated play wealth or poverty; and indicated play accumulation
or depletion of resources in the second object.
53. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the response is to the
addition or removal of variable virtual play substance accomplished
during interaction between the first and second objects.
54. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising: means in the
second play object, controlled by the second program, for
retrieving data from the memory and passing it to the first play
object, through the transceivers.
55. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein: the transceivers are
radio-frequency devices; and there are a plurality of the second
transceivers which each comprise an integrated circuit.
56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein: the second transceivers are
fixed-frequency devices operating at the same frequency.
57. The apparatus of claim 56: wherein the first transceiver
communicates apparently simultaneously with all the second play
objects of the plurality.
58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein: the second programs in the
second play objects of the plurality control the second play
objects to respond to communications from the first play object at
staggered times.
59. The apparatus of claim 45, further including an additional
first play object with a first transceiver and a first circuit for
interacting with the second play object in the same manner as the
first play object.
60. A method of play comprising: 1) providing first and second play
objects, respectively comprising: first and second wireless
information transceivers in mutual data-transmission contact, and
first and second circuits operating first and second programs; and
a writable memory in the second play object for holding data
representing the current condition of a variable virtual play
substance; means in the first play object, controlled by the first
program, for writing data to or reading data from the memory, or
both, through the transceivers; indicating means in the first play
object, controlled by the first program and by the written or read
data, or both, for indicating to a user a play characteristic
derived at least in part from the then current condition of the
variable virtual play substance, such indicated play characteristic
being supportive of play by the user with the play apparatus in
accordance with a mode of play, 2) causing data-transmission
between said first and second play objects, and 3) indicating to a
user a play characteristic derived at least in part from the data
transmitted from the second play object that represents the then
current condition of the variable virtual play substance, such
indication being supportive of said mode of play.
61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein: the mode of play is in
accordance with a specific play theme.
62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein: according to the play
theme, the first object is configured as a worker in a particular
job and the second object as a implement used by such a worker in
doing that particular job.
63. The method of claim 60, wherein: according to the mode of play,
the first object is configured as a doll and the second object as
an accessory of the doll.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein: the variable virtual play
substance is selected from the group consisting of: play food or
drink for the doll; play money for the doll; documents evidencing
property ownership by the doll; play resources transferred by the
doll to the second object for storage; and play resources
transferred by the doll to the second object for transfer to a
third play object.
65. The method of claim 60, wherein: said indicated play
characteristic comprises a remaining amount of the variable virtual
play substance, before or after interaction between the first and
second objects.
66. The method of claim 60, wherein; said play characteristic
comprises a response to the current condition of variable virtual
play substance.
67. The method of claim 66, wherein the first object is configured
as a character and the response is selected from the group
consisting of: indicated play hunger, thirst or satiation;
indicated play wealth or poverty; and indicated play accumulation
or depletion of resources in the second object.
68. The method of claim 66 wherein the response is to the addition
or removal of variable virtual play substance accomplished during
interaction between the first and second objects.
69. The method of claim 60 wherein: there are a plurality of second
transceivers which each comprise an integrated circuit, are fixed
frequency devices all operating at the same frequency.
70. The method of claim 69 wherein: the first transceiver
communicates apparently simultaneously with all the second play
objects of the plurality.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Toys and games utilizing RFID (radio frequency
identification).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Toys are known which can respond to radio frequency signals,
e.g., toy vehicles having radio frequency transmitting remote
control units. Such toys typically respond to simple signals as for
"forward", "stop" and "reverse" functions. They require batteries
in both the toy and transmitter.
[0003] RFID (radio frequency identification) transponder
technologies are known in the prior art and used in retail store
environments to sound an alert when products for which payment has
not been made are removed from the premises, and in other detection
systems such as automated toll collection systems for highways,
bridges and tunnels, e.g. "EZ Pass".
[0004] RFID electronic components, "reader/interrogator" and "tag",
circuits, are presently available in small, IC packages from
several semiconductor vendors such as Philips, Motorola, Texas
Instruments, Microchip, and Atmel, to name just a few
suppliers.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In accordance with the disclosure, contactless
identification of objects by toy dolls and other toys can be
achieved through the use of RF (radio frequency) transponders. A
master/host/server toy or game unit can identify and recognize
something that is placed within range of the host without any
physical or mechanical contact through the application of RFID
technology. Objects to be recognized and identified by the
master/host/server toy or game unit need only contain a small RFID
tag transponder integrated circuit chip (tag IC) and a suitable RF
antenna. Such objects do not require a self-contained battery or
other power source to be recognized. No optical code (e.g. bar
code), invisible ink, ultraviolet or infrared ink is required, nor
is mechanical or physical contact necessary between the recognizing
toy and object to be recognized.
[0006] The master/host/server toy or game unit is also referred to
herein as the main or first play object. The objects are also
referred to herein as play objects or second lay objects. Objects
in range are also referred to as in a localized detection
region.
[0007] Tag ICs, while all operating at the same frequency, can
respond differently from one another when interrogated by an
appropriately programmed master/host/server toy or game unit. The
tag ICs transmit and receive information in the form of data bit
streams to and from the master/host/server toy or game unit. The
tag ICs receive their operating power from the RF energy
transmitted by the master/host/server at the same time as data
exchange occurs.
[0008] In addition to a toy or game master/host/server reading an
object's identity or specific identification information from its
tag IC chip, tag IC chips can receive information in the form of
many digital bits written back and stored indefinitely in
non-volatile writeable memory onboard the tag IC chip. There is
programming in at least the master unit for bidirectional RF
transmission between the master unit and the object. This feature
enables the creation of a form of kid's money, or a portable store
of value, that can be held, transferred, traded, or otherwise
exchanged with compatible devices such as trading cards or "play
money" which contain read/writeable RFID tag ICs containing
non-volatile, electrically reprogrammable memory bits, utilizing
appropriately programmed master/host/server toy or game units
containing an RFID reader/interrogator circuit and suitable
antenna.
[0009] This feature also could be used with a doll to simulate the
current state, status or condition of a variable aspect or feature
of an object, and changes in that state. That variable aspect could
be a variable virtual play substance or a resource, such as pretend
milk in a toy milk bottle given to the doll. When a child presents
a "full" milk bottle with an RFID tag IC inside it programmed as
"full", then the doll can simulate drinking the milk, and the
master/host/server can gradually reprogram the RFID tag IC in the
milk bottle to be less and less full, as indicated by the setting
of some selected data bits in the milk bottle RFID tag IC memory,
via the rewriteable feature. The doll could indicate to or make a
presentation to the child-user of a play characteristic derived
from the then current condition of the variable aspect or virtual
play substance. The indicated play characteristic could be simply
an indication of the current amount or state of the play substance,
or it could be a response to such current state. Such response
could indicate (1) play hunger, thirst or satiation, (2) play
wealth or poverty, or (3) play accumulation or depletion of
resources, and the like. For example, when the milk bottle is
"empty" the doll could possibly cry and ask for more milk. Then the
toy milk bottle could be taken over to a different
master/host/server toy, perhaps in the form of a cow or a dairy, so
as to be "refilled" by way of having the selected data memory bits
of the milk bottle RFID tag IC be reprogrammed accordingly.
[0010] Other possible variable virtual play substances may include
(1) other play food or drink, (2) play money, (3) documents
evidencing property ownership of the host, (4) resources
transferred to the host for storage, (5) resources transferred to
the host for transfer to another play object.
[0011] Change or variation in the variable aspect or variable
virtual play substance may be provided in several ways. The play
object memory may be rewritable, so that data regarding the
variable aspect or play substance is in fact changed or substituted
in the memory. Alternatively, using a writeable memory, a series of
data may be successively added to the memory incident to the
intercommunication and play between the host and the play object.
The host would then look to the most recently added data to
determine the then current state of the variable aspect or play
substance.
[0012] A trading card, or a flash card, or other small object, can
be provided with an embedded RFID tag chip and suitable antenna
loop or coil, factory programmed with specific bits of read-only
data in the tag IC memory. This card can be recognized by a talking
doll, for example, that can then recite information about the card.
The information can exceed that printed on the card and, for
example, can contain secret information about the card that can
only be accessed by a master/host/server toy or game unit. A doll
can then recognize and recite information about the trading card.
In other words, at least some of the recited information may be
stored on the card. Possibly most or even all of the recited
information may be stored on the card. This can greatly minimize
the requirement on the doll memory to store such recited
information.
[0013] A tag IC with a suitable small antenna loop or coil can also
be placed inside a small plastic figure, such as an action figure
molded from plastic, that can be recognized by the doll or a reader
device.
[0014] Such master/host/server toy or game units can play games
such as spelling games, arithmetic games, shape recognition games,
and other games. Master/host/server toy or game units can be
employed to recognize trading cards and other two and three
dimensioned collectibles. A master/host/server toy or game unit can
act on a tag IC in a collectible to change its data thereby
selectively making it compatible or incompatible with other
master/host/server toy or game units, thereby providing the ability
to "catch" or "collect" a specific object or flash or trading card
by a specific owner, after which it cannot be caught or collected
by another, unless the owner agrees to trade it electronically to
another owner, using the master/host/server toy or game
controller.
[0015] It is desirable that the master unit and the play object
have appearances that are consistent or compatible with a mode of
play. For example, FIG. 1 shows the master unit as a mommy doll and
the play object as a baby doll. They are consistent or compatible
with a mode of play characterized by interaction between mother and
child. A baker or cook in a white coat and hat would not be
compatible with a rifle or a lawn mower. Further, the indication or
presentation to the child-user based on data derived from the
object should be supportive of play in accordance with the mode of
play. For example, the baker doll might say "we are low on sugar"
in response to that variable aspect of a play can of sugar, but
would not say "we are low on ammunition" or even "the sky is
blue".
[0016] Some toys or games could be more focused on a specific play
theme and presentations that would further that theme. For example
the master unit could appear as a mommy doll and the play object
could appear as a baby doll with a tricycle; the theme would be
learning to ride the tricycle.
[0017] The illustrated apparatus may also be characterized and
described as follows:
[0018] Play apparatus comprising:
[0019] first and second play objects having appearance consistent
with a mode of play between such objects and respectively
comprising;
[0020] first and second wireless RFID information tranceivers, said
second transceiver being non-self powered, the first and the second
transcievers each positionable for remote mutual digital
date-transmission contact;
[0021] first and second circuits operating first and second
programs;
[0022] a writable memory in the second play object for holding
digital data, means in the first play object, controlled by the
first program, for writing to and reading from the memory in the
second play object with which the first play object is in
data-transmission contact, through their transceivers; and
[0023] means in the first play object, controlled by the first
program and by the written or read data, for indicating to a user
information for implementing play by the user with the objects in
accordance with said mode of play.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one type of toy which can
serve as a master/host/server toy in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1B is a perspective view of
another type of toy which can serve as a master/host/server toy in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a functional schematic block diagram of a
master/host/server toy and the objects which it is intended to
sense in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 3A is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment
of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 3A.
[0028] FIG. 3C is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention shown in FIG. 3A, with a modification.
[0029] FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of still another preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment
of the invention shown in FIG. 4A.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In a first embodiment of the invention, RFID technology is
used to make a doll appear to "see" flash cards or other objects,
recognize them by name, and engage in play activity with them.
[0032] For example, in a "shape" game, the doll asks a child to
show or give the doll a specific shape, such as "the blue square"
or "the red triangle". The doll has a small loop antenna inside a
hollow cavity in the chest area, so that as flash cards or objects
are presented to the doll to "hold in its arms", a
master/host/server toy or game unit program can detect them and
respond with a voice in the appropriate manner.
[0033] Furthermore, the sensing coil antenna of the
master/host/server contained in the doll, can be located in
different places, such as the head, or in a hand or foot, to
localize the region where the target object will be detected.
[0034] In addition, the doll could include not just one, but
multiple sensing antennae coils, located in various places on the
doll, and which are switched on and off by control of the host
microprocessor system. Such locations could include a coil in each
hand of the doll, a coil in each foot, a coil in the doll's head,
and a coil in the doll's abdominal cavity. Such a doll could play
games with multiple objects, but might also play games with a
single object by directing the user to sequentially position that
object at different antenna, and recognizing and reporting back to
the user as to the success or failure of each attempted
positioning.
[0035] In conjunction with the selectively switching of the active
antenna coil, the doll could ask the child to place a specific
object in the doll's right hand, or in its left hand, for
example.
[0036] Utilizing a voice synthesizer, the doll can ask for specific
shapes to be given to it, and then for them to be taken away, one
at a time, with responses given as to whether each correct shape
was provided.
[0037] Objects presented to the doll can have numbers or spelling
words which can be enunciated by an electronic voice synthesizer in
the doll. The master/host/server toy or game unit can make animal
sounds or other sound effects corresponding to a picture card or
sculpture of a presented animal or other sound effect such as a
fire engine or motor car. The master/host/server toy or game unit
may be provided with recorded or synthesized music for playing
different songs and tunes, perhaps in different voices or with
different sounding musical instrument sounds such as a trumpet or a
flute, a violin or a trombone, and also with many different
percussion sounds such as drums, bells, whistles, and other sound
effects.
[0038] In accordance with the disclosure, a doll or other
master/host/server toy or game unit can recognize and identify an
object, flash card, token, or other thing with no physical or
mechanical contact. The toy or doll or game can recognize just one
thing at a time, or a multiplicity of many things at the same time
(that is within a few hundred milliseconds of one another) by
utilizing the so-called "anti-collision" feature of certain RFID
tag ICs which are commercially available.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings, there are
shown a girl doll 1 and a baby doll 2, respectively, each of which
can contain an "engine" in the form of a master/host/server toy or
game unit 3. In addition to an integral antenna 5 located within
the master/host/server toy or game unit 3 mounted in the doll's
chest cavity, another antenna Sa can be connected to the
master/host/server toy or game unit 3 and mounted within the head
of the dolls 1 and 2. Doll 1 is shown with added antenna 5bat a
hand and 5cat a foot. Each of the dolls 1 and 1 is shown
interacting with an object 8 in the form of a card.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 2, there are shown a plurality of play
objects 8 that each include a non-self -powered RFID transponder
tag IC 8aand an RF antenna 8b. The play object may be a flash card,
a trading card, or small object molded from a non-conducting,
non-RF shielded material.
[0041] FIG. 2 also shows a master/host/server toy or game unit 3
having an RF transmitting and receiving antenna sensing element or
coil 5. This antenna may be of the primarily inductive coupling or
primarily capacitive coupling type. The master antenna element or
coil 5 is tuned to the resonant operating frequency of the RFID Tag
ICs, and their associated antennae. The master antenna element or
coils 5 are operatively connected to a reader/interrogator circuit
7. The circuit 7 transmits power to, and receives data transmitted
from, the RFID tag ICs 8a. The circuit 7 may also transmit data to
the tag ICs. The play object 8 may typically be positioned about
one to four inches from the master antenna 5, or possibly
further.
[0042] When the reader circuit 7 transmits energy to a tag IC, that
tag IC uses the power to transmit its unique data back to the
circuit 7. The master unit 3 then uses that unique data to identify
or "recognize" that object 8.
[0043] The reader/interrogator circuit 7 is operatively connected
to a microcontroller/microcomputer 13. The microcomputer 13 has a
microprocessor. The microprocessor is connected to one or more ROMs
(read-only memories) 14 that contain program code for controlling
the responses of the master/host/server toy or game unit 3 to the
data received from the tag ICs 8a. Thus, the data from the tag IC
"triggers" or causes the response of the host unit 3. The
microprocessor is also connected to RAM (random access memory) for
temporary storage of operating data. Provision for connecting
additional. ROMS 15 to expand operating functions and modes is
provided in the form of external cartridge connectors 17 which
allow additional ROMs 15 to be piggybacked onto or daisy chained to
the basic ROMs 14. The microcomputer 13 may have a plurality of
miscellaneous I/O lines to arm/hand switches and other doll
sensors.
[0044] A voice/sound synthesizer circuit 19 is connected to the
microcomputer 13 for converting digital data signals generated by
the microcomputer in response to or caused by the data received
from the interrogated tag ICs 8ato analog voice, music or other
sound signals. The sound circuit 19 may include CELP, ADPCM or the
like. As noted above, at least some, and possibly most or all, of
the data signals generated may be data returned from the memory of
the object 8. The analog sound signals are then applied to the
input terminals of an audio amplifier 21 for driving a speaker 23
which reproduces the sounds for listening at an audible level. The
microcomputer 13 and its associated components, including the
microprocessor, the voice/sound synthesizer circuit 19, and the
amplifier 21 are powered by batteries contained in a power supply
25. For example, four AA or C alkaline batteries may be used. DC
operating power can also be supplied from main AC line voltage by
way of a suitable step-down transformer, rectifier and filter
circuit as is commonly found in small, plug-in power supplies, so
as to save on use of batteries when in a fixed location. DC
operating power could also be supplied from 12 VDC found in motor
vehicles such as cars, trucks, busses, campers and even airplanes,
by way of a suitable electrical connector and cable connected to a
DC voltage regulator in the doll engine 3. "Smart trading cards"
are another toy or game application of RFID technology according to
the invention. Trading cards, e.g., baseball cards, football cards,
and other collectibles can each contain an embedded RFID tag IC for
enabling novel uses for trading cards and collectibles in
conjunction with dolls, and various other master/host/server toy or
game units. The master/host/server toy or game unit can then detect
each collectible as it is added to the collection and maintain
information about the inventory of collectibles. Each collectible
can have, stored in its tag IC, data which associates the
collectible with its owner. No other master/host/server toy or game
unit can recognize the collectible until its owner enables the
stored data to be changed for associating it with a new owner's
master/host/server toy or game unit. That is, once a specific
figure or other collectible is "caught;" or "collected" once by
someone, it cannot be caught or collected again by someone else,
unless it is "traded" by the original owner to a new owner.
[0045] In still another embodiment of the invention, an RFID tag IC
can be used to store the "collection" and "ownership" values in the
memory of a tag IC embedded in an owner or collectors "master
card", and to allow for trading or exchange of value with another
owner/collector for creating "kid's money."
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in still another
embodiment of the invention, RFID tag ICs 108aand suitable antenna
108bcan be embedded inside of play objects 108 in the from of small
play blocks molded from plastic, carved from wood, or other
non-conducting, non-RF shielding materials. The master/host/server
and control engine 103 is contained inside of a large tablet shaped
form 101. The engine 103 includes the sensing antenna coil 105 in
the surface 109, a reader/interrogator circuit 107, a
microcontroller 113 with voice/sound generator IC 119, an audio
amplifier and speaker 121/123, and batteries 125, similar to the
arrangement shown in FIG. 2.
[0047] The "magic tablet" 101 can recognize the play blocks 108
placed on it. The play blocks 108 may have printed or molded
legends 108don one side of the cube, such as letters of the
alphabet, numbers, arithmetic signs such as +,-, / and X, or
pictures or icons of animals such as cows, horses, chickens, or
pigs, or other objects such as musical instruments, musical notes,
or other things.
[0048] The magic tablet 108 has a similar "engine" 3 as the doll
previously described. The control program could operate in many
different modes.
[0049] In speaking only, the tablet voice just says the name of a
letter or number block placed on it.
[0050] The magic play blocks 108 and tablet 101 may have
complementary Velcro, or possibly magnetic, surfaces 110a, 110b for
establishing a preferred orientation of each block and its antenna
108bto the tablet and its antenna 105 so as to maximize the RF
energy transferred between the master/host/server and the RFID tag
IC 108aand antenna 108bcontained inside the block or object 108
placed on the magic tablet.
[0051] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 3C, the play block or
object 208 could contain the RFID tag IC 208aand small loop antenna
coil 208bin a diagonal orientation inside the play block or object,
so that regardless of the play block or object orientation to the
tablet surface 209, the loop coil antenna 208binside the play block
or object will couple sufficient RF energy to the associated RFID
tag IC 208ain that play block for proper operation with minimal
transmitted power.
[0052] The tablet 101 can also ask a child to spell a word such as
D-O-G and then detect when the correct letter play blocks 108 have
been placed on the tablet, and speak accordingly, correct or not,
to help teach a child how to spell.
[0053] Detection of multiple play blocks or objects 108 is again
accomplished by the control program of the microcontroller 113 and
the reader/interrogator circuit 107.
[0054] The circuit of the reader/interrogator 107 operates at the
selected RF frequency of the RFID tag IC 108aand antenna 108b.
Commonly used frequency ranges are 100-150 kHz, or 13.5 MHz
nominally, or other frequencies.
[0055] The specific methods of data modulation used in a specific
RFID tag system are not of consequence to the inventions of toys
and games. The basic operation of the invention can be adapted to
various modulation methods and frequency ranges, depending on the
cost of the circuits and the range of operation.
[0056] It is very important to note that the detailed control of
the reader/interrogator circuit and the data transmission and
reception is highly dependent on the control of the
reader/interrogator circuit which is effected by portions of the
operating system and drivers contained in the main "engine" 3.
[0057] The disclosed master/host/server toy or game unit 3 can deal
with detecting multiple play objects 8, i.e., where more than one
play object 8 are presented to or removed from the toy or game
master 3.
[0058] For example, a doll 1 can ask to "see" three shapes in flash
cards or play objects 8 containing suitable RFID tag ICs 8a. Then
the doll can ask for one of the shapes or objects 8 to be removed.
If the incorrect one is removed, the doll will recognize that and
speak a suitable warning response.
[0059] Because a considerable amount of power is consumed with the
activation of the reader/interrogator circuit 7 to transmit RF
energy to detect the possible presence of an RFID tag IC 8awithin
the range of the master/host/server toy or game unit, such
operation must be managed carefully. The master control program can
manage the activation of the reader/interrogator circuit 7 on a
time multiplexed basis, so as to conserve power in operation and
therefore prolong the battery life of the toy or game.
[0060] For example, the discussed apparatus provide for the time
multiplexed activation of the reader/interrogator circuit 7 on a
time interval basis to conserve battery power. Rather than leave
the reader/interrogator circuit 7 activated on a continuous basis,
them aster/host/server toy or game unit 3 the apparatus only
activate this circuit 7 very briefly a few times per second, until
a suitable RFID tag IC 8ais found to respond. In this manner the
method of control reduces the power consumption by a significant
amount, and extends the battery life of the toy or game unit.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is shown a smart
trading card master device 303 in the form of a hand held reader
for smart trading cards or flash cards 308. A trading card 308 can
be slid into a mechanical slot 312 provided for the purpose of
holding the card 308 in place or the card can be placed on the
surface of a hand held reader.
[0062] The reader 303 has a reader/interrogator circuit 307 and
antenna 305 for communicating with the RFID tag ICs 308aembedded
within the trading or flash cards 308. The trading card control
master 303 can read and write back selected data information to and
from the RFID tag IC 308aembedded in the trading card 308. This is
performed under the control of a single chip microcontroller 313
which includes a speech/sound synthesizer circuit 319 with digital
to analog converter suitable to drive audible sounds from a
miniature loud speaker 323 inside the unit.
[0063] Moreover, the microcontroller 313 can include the circuitry
to drive segments and layers of a common, multiplexed LCD
alphanumeric display screen 314 on the master unit, whereby
information can be visually displayed. Power to the master device
103 may be provided by batteries 325.
[0064] In addition, the microcontroller can include circuitry to
communicate with an external device such as a personal computer, a
hand-held computer, or other device, via a wired serial
communications interface for RS-232, USB. IEEE 1394 or other
standard or custom communications network.
[0065] With such a network communications link, information about
the trading cards, their values, ownership, or other information
can be communicated to other programs and services, and could also
be conveyed via the Internet to various websites offering prizes,
recognition, or other services to the card collector or game or toy
player.
[0066] In a text to speech application of the invention, words and
phrases can be encoded in the tag IC memory in the form of ASCII or
other generally known and used character encoding techniques by
using RFID tag ICS with a sufficient number of data bits or read
only or read/write memory.
[0067] For example, the word "HOUSE" can be encoded in 6 bit ASCII
code, that is 6 data bits per alphanumeric character, using a total
of only 30 data bits. The RFID tag IC containing this data bit
pattern could be embedded inside a flash card, a trading card, or
any other small two or three-dimensional object.
[0068] Upon detection and query of the flash card, trading card, or
other object by the doll, a reader or other master/host/server toy
or game unit, programmed to recognize the encoding of words, the
five letters of the example word "HOUSE" would be received and then
conveyed to a software program and/or combination of software
program and voice sound or speech synthesizer, in any of many
various languages, to be converted into the spoken word "HOUSE " by
the toy or game unit.
[0069] A very important feature of this embodiment of the invention
is the ability to form hundreds or thousands, or more, flash cards,
trading cards, or other objects containing RFID tag ICs, which then
cause the master/host/server toy or game unit to speak, or to
display and speak, the word or words programmed within them. This
is significantly different from using a master/host/server toy or
game unit that has a sound and speech voice synthesizer using only
pre-recorded words or phrases of language, which would be activated
by control and behavior programs in the toy or game unit.
[0070] In the foregoing embodiment of the invention, there can be a
virtually unlimited range or spoken words and phrases, activated by
one or more suitably programmed RFID tag ICs contained in flash
cards, trading cards, or other objects. As noted above, if desired,
the major portion, if not all, of the spoken or displayed data may
come from the object's memory. The main advantage of this
implementation is that the toy or game unit does not have to be
completely pre-programmed with all the words it might ever have to
speak or say or display. Rather, the toy or game unit need only
have a text-to-speech converter program in its control program,
with proficiency in one or more spoken languages. Such a toy or
game unit could be of use in learning and teaching various
languages.
[0071] The number of data bits in the RFID tag IC, perhaps as many
as one thousand bits, could contain as many as 150 alphanumeric
characters, (i.e. letters, numbers, punctuations, and other control
codes) sufficient so that one flash card, trading card, or RFID tag
IC equipped object, could cause the doll, master/host/server toy or
game unit to speak a specific sentence or sentences of multiple
words and phrases.
* * * * *