U.S. patent application number 12/782733 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for figure interactive systems and methods.
Invention is credited to Yu-Chuan CHANG, Yu-Shiang HUNG, Sheng-Chun LIN.
Application Number | 20110143632 12/782733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44143459 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110143632 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIN; Sheng-Chun ; et
al. |
June 16, 2011 |
FIGURE INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
Figure interactive systems and methods are provided. The system
includes at least a base device. The base device includes a storage
unit, a detecting unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit
stores a content database recording scenario data corresponding to
a plurality of figures. The detecting unit respectively detects
identification data of at least a first figure and a second figure.
The processing unit respectively retrieves the scenario data of the
first figure and the second figure from the content database,
dynamically generates an interactive instruction set for the first
figure and the second figure, and enables the first figure and the
second figure to interact according to the interactive instruction
set.
Inventors: |
LIN; Sheng-Chun; (Taipei
City, TW) ; CHANG; Yu-Chuan; (Kaohsiung City, TW)
; HUNG; Yu-Shiang; (Taipei City, TW) |
Family ID: |
44143459 |
Appl. No.: |
12/782733 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 2200/00 20130101;
A63H 3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/268 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/00 20060101
A63H003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2009 |
TW |
98142210 |
Claims
1. A figure interactive system, comprising: at least a first figure
and a second figure; and a base device, comprising: a storage unit
storing a content database; a detecting unit respectively detecting
identification data of the first figure and the second figure; and
a processing unit respectively retrieving scenario data
corresponding to the first figure and the second figure from the
content database according to the identification data of the first
figure and the second figure, dynamically generating an interactive
instruction set for the first figure and the second figure
according to the scenario data corresponding to the first figure
and the second figure, and enabling the first figure and the second
figure to interact with each other according to the interactive
instruction set.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further
transmits the identification data of the first figure and the
second figure to a server via a network, and the server
respectively retrieves the scenario data corresponding to the first
figure and the second figure according to the identification data
of the first figure and the second figure, and transmits the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure to the content database of the storage unit via the
network.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processing unit further
receives renewed scenario data corresponding to the first figure
and the second figure from the server via the network, and stores
the renewed scenario data to the content database.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the interactive instruction set
further comprises an action drive command, and the first figure or
the second figure respectively has at least a drive component for
receiving the interactive instruction set from the base device, and
driving the first figure or the second figure to perform an
operation according to the action drive command in the interactive
instruction set.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the base device further comprises
a display unit for displaying dialogues or images in the
interactive instruction set.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base device further comprises
a speaker for playing dialogues or sound effects in the interactive
instruction set.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein during the interactive
instruction set is generated, the processing unit selects the first
figure from the start, retrieves first interactive data for a
specific topic for the first figure from the scenario data
corresponding to the first figure, retrieves second interactive
data corresponding to the first interactive data for the specific
topic for the second figure from the scenario data corresponding to
the second figure, and combines the first interactive data and the
second interactive data as the interactive instruction set.
8. A figure interactive system, comprising: at least a first figure
and a second figure; a base device, comprising a detecting unit and
a first communication unit, wherein the detecting unit respectively
detects identification data of the first figure and the second
figure; and an electronic device, comprising a second communication
unit for communicating with the first communication unit via a
communication connection, a storage unit for storing a content
database, and a processing unit for respectively retrieving
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure from the content database, dynamically generating an
interactive instruction set for the first figure and the second
figure according to the scenario data corresponding to the first
figure and the second figure, and transmitting the interactive
instruction set to the base device, wherein the base device enables
the first figure and the second figure to interact with each other
according to the interactive instruction set.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit transmits the
identification data of the first figure and the second figure to a
server via a network, and the server respectively retrieves the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure according to the identification data of the first figure and
the second figure, and transmits the scenario data corresponding to
the first figure and the second figure to the content database of
the storage unit via the network.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processing unit further
receives renewed scenario data corresponding to the first figure
and the second figure from the server via the network, and stores
the renewed scenario data to the content database.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the interactive instruction set
further comprises an action drive command, and the first figure or
the second figure respectively has at least a drive component for
receiving the interactive instruction set from the base device, and
driving the first figure or the second figure to perform an
operation according to the action drive command in the interactive
instruction set.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein during the interactive
instruction set is generated, the processing unit selects the first
figure from the start, retrieves first interactive data for a
specific topic for the first figure from the scenario data
corresponding to the first figure, retrieves second interactive
data corresponding to the first interactive data for the specific
topic for the second figure from the scenario data corresponding to
the second figure, and combines the first interactive data and the
second interactive data as the interactive instruction set.
13. A figure interactive method, comprising: respectively detecting
identification data of a first figure and a second figure;
respectively retrieving scenario data corresponding to the first
figure and the second figure from a content database according to
the identification data of the first figure and the second figure;
dynamically generating an interactive instruction set for the first
figure and the second figure according to the scenario data
corresponding to the first figure and the second figure; and
enabling the first figure and the second figure to interact with
each other according to the interactive instruction set.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting the
identification data of the first figure and the second figure to a
server via a network, wherein the server respectively retrieves the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure according to the identification data of the first figure and
the second figure; and receiving the scenario data corresponding to
the first figure and the second figure via the network as the
content database.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving renewed
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure from the server via the network; and storing the renewed
scenario data to the content database.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: respectively
transmitting the interactive instruction set to at least a drive
component of the first figure or the second figure; and
respectively driving the first figure or the second figure to
perform an operation according to an action drive command in the
interactive instruction set.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying dialogues
or images in the interactive instruction set via a display
unit.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising playing dialogues or
sound effects in the interactive instruction set via a speaker.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein during the interactive
instruction set is generated, the method further comprises the
steps of: selecting the first figure from the start; retrieving
first interactive data for a specific topic for the first figure
from the scenario data corresponding to the first figure;
retrieving second interactive data corresponding to the first
interactive data for the specific topic for the second figure from
the scenario data corresponding to the second figure; and combining
the first interactive data and the second interactive data as the
interactive instruction set.
20. A machine-readable storage medium comprising a computer
program, which, when executed, causes a device to perform a figure
interactive method, and the method comprises: respectively
detecting identification data of a first figure and a second
figure; respectively retrieving scenario data corresponding to the
first figure and the second figure from a content database
according to the identification data of the first figure and the
second figure; dynamically generating an interactive instruction
set for the first figure and the second figure according to the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure; and enabling the first figure and the second figure to
interact with each other according to the interactive instruction
set.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent
Application No. 098142210, filed on Dec. 10, 2009, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The disclosure relates generally to figure interactive
systems and methods, and more particularly, to systems and methods
that detect a plurality of figures and dynamically generate an
interactive instruction set for the detected figures.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Figures or dolls are popular items. In addition to static
figures, electronic figures have been developed. Electronic figures
can be manipulated by electronic signals to increase applications
thereof.
[0006] As an example, a figure device or a electronic figure,
supporting multiple instant communication software, can connect to
a personal computer, such that notifications can be performed when
messages or new email messages are received, and when the statuses
of friends becomes on-line statuses in the instant communication
software. For example, required functions of an electronic rabbit
figure can be set via a computer, and a server can transmit related
data, such as weather forecasts, or head-line news to the
electronic rabbit figure, so that data is displayed via the
electronic rabbit figure.
[0007] Generally, conventional electronic figures can only receive
fixed messages, and perform related operations according to the
received messages. Some electronic figures can perform related
operations, such as music playback and dancing based on predefined
programs. However, since these programs are fixed and burned into
the electronic figures, operating flexibility of the electronic
figures is limited, thus hindering popularity among users and
development of the electronic figures. Accordingly, with limited
variability, users often quickly lose interest in the electronic
figures. Currently, there is no technology to automatically detect
a plurality of figures and dynamically generate interactive content
(not the fixed programs/operations in conventional electronic
figures) in the field.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Figure interactive systems and methods are provided.
[0009] An embodiment of a figure interactive system includes at
least a base device. The base device includes a storage unit, a
detecting unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a
content database. The detecting unit respectively detects
identification data of at least a first figure and a second figure.
The processing unit respectively retrieves scenario data
corresponding to the first figure and the second figure from the
content database, dynamically generates an interactive instruction
set for the first figure and the second figure according to the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure, and enables the first figure and the second figure to
interact with each other according to the interactive instruction
set.
[0010] Another embodiment of a figure interactive system includes
at least a first figure and a second figure, a base device, and an
electronic device. The base device includes at least a detecting
unit, and a first communication unit, wherein the detecting unit
respectively detects identification data of the first figure and
the second figure. The electronic device at least includes a second
communication unit which can communicate with the first
communication unit via a communication connection, a storage unit
storing a content database, and a processing unit which
respectively retrieves scenario data corresponding to the first
figure and the second figure from the content database. Also, the
processing unit dynamically generates an interactive instruction
set for the first figure and the second figure according to the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure, and transmits the interactive instruction set to the base
device. The base device enables the first figure and the second
figure to interact with each other according to the interactive
instruction set.
[0011] In an embodiment of a figure interactive method,
identification data of at least a first figure and a second figure
is respectively detected. Then, scenario data corresponding to the
first figure and the second figure are respectively retrieved from
a content database. The interactive instruction set for the first
figure and the second figure is dynamically generated according to
the scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure, and the first figure and the second figure are enabled to
interact with each other according to the interactive instruction
set.
[0012] In some embodiments, the identification data of the first
figure and the second figure can be transmitted to a server via a
network. The server can respectively retrieve the scenario data
corresponding to the first figure and the second figure according
to the identification data of the first figure and the second
figure, and transmit the scenario data corresponding to the first
figure and the second figure to the base device as the content
database via the network. In some embodiments, renewed scenario
data corresponding to the first figure and the second figure can be
also received via the network, and stored to the content
database.
[0013] In some embodiments, during the interactive instruction set
is generated, the first figure can be selected from the start, and
first interactive data for a specific topic is retrieved for the
first figure from the scenario data corresponding to the first
figure. Then, second interactive data corresponding to the first
interactive data for the specific topic is retrieved for the second
figure from the scenario data corresponding to the second figure.
The first interactive data and the second interactive data can be
added to the interactive instruction set. In some embodiments, the
selected figure, the specific topic, and/or the first interactive
data can be randomly selected, or selected according to a specific
order.
[0014] Figure interactive methods may take the form of a program
code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded
into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus
for practicing the disclosed method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will become more fully understood by referring
to the following detailed description with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a figure interactive system of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating another
embodiment of a figure interactive system of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
the structure of a server of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
the structure of a base device of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a figure
interactive method of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for
generating an interactive instruction set of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Figure interactive systems and methods are provided.
[0023] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a figure interactive system of the invention.
[0024] The structure of the figure interactive system comprises a
server 1000 and a base device 2000. The base device 2000 can
simultaneously detect identification data of a plurality of figures
(such as F1 and F2), and connect to the server 1000 via a network
3000. It is noted that, only two figures are disclosed in this
embodiment, however, the invention is not limited thereto.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
the structure of a server of the invention.
[0026] The server 1000 may be a processor-based electronic device,
such as general purpose computer, a personal computer, a notebook,
or a workstation. The server 1000 at least comprises a scenario
database 1100. The scenario database 1100 can comprise scenario
data corresponding to a plurality of figures respectively. It is
understood that, in some embodiments, the scenario data can
comprise dialogues, images, sound effects, music, light signals,
and/or actions of the figures, such as swinging, vibrating,
rotating, beating and movements, among others.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
the structure of a base device of the invention.
[0028] The base device 2000 can comprise a detecting unit 2100, a
storage unit 2200, and a processing unit 2300. It is understood
that, in some embodiments, the identification data of the figure
can be detected by an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), an IR
(Infrared) communication recognition system, a USB (Universal
Serial Bus) wired/wireless communication recognition system, a
2-dimension/3-dimension barcode recognition system, recognition
software and related communication interfaces, or other recognition
systems/manners. When several figures are placed on or close to the
base device 2000, the detecting unit 2100 can simultaneously detect
the identification data of the figures. The storage unit 2200 can
at least comprise a content database 2210. The content database
2210 can store the scenario data (such as 2211 and 2212)
corresponding to the respective figures. Similarly, in some
embodiments, the scenario data can comprise dialogues, images,
sound effects, music, light signals, and/or actions. The content
database 2210 can further store an interactive instruction set 2220
corresponding to at least two figures. It is noted that, the
interactive instruction set 2220 can be dynamically generated
according to the scenario data in the content database 2210. The
generation and use of the interactive instruction set 2220 are
discussed later. The processing unit 2300 performs the figure
interactive method of the invention, which will be discussed
further in the following paragraphs.
[0029] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating another
embodiment of a figure interactive system of the invention. The
figure interactive system comprises a server 1000, a base device
2000, and an electronic device 4000. The base device 2000 can
simultaneously detect the identification data of several figures,
such as F1 and F2, and communicate with the electronic device 4000
via a communication connection. The electronic device 4000 couples
to the server 1000 via a network 3000. It is noted that, in this
embodiment, the base device 2000 at least comprises the detecting
unit 2100 in FIG. 3, and a first communication unit (not shown),
and the electronic device 4000 at least comprises the storage unit
2200 and the processing unit 2300 in FIG. 3, and a second
communication unit (not shown). The functions and features of the
detecting unit 2100, the storage unit 2200, and the processing unit
2300 are similar to that disclosed in FIG. 3, and omitted herefrom.
The electronic device 4000 may be a general purpose computer, a
personal computer, a notebook, a netbook, a handheld computer, or a
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The communication connection may
be an RS232 connection, a USB communication connection, or an RFID
communication connection. The first/second communication unit
corresponding to the above communication connections may be an
RS232 interface, a USB communication interface, or an RFID
communication interface.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a figure
interactive method of the invention. The figure interactive method
of the invention can enable multiple figures to interact with each
other. It is understood that, in this embodiment, a first figure
and a second figure are used for explanation, but the invention is
not limited thereto.
[0031] In step S4100, the identification data of the first figure
and the second figure is respectively detected by the base device.
Similarly, when several figures are placed on or close to the base
device, the detecting unit of the base device can simultaneously
detect the identification data of the figures. In step S4200, the
scenario data corresponding to the first figure and the second
figure are respectively retrieved from a content database according
to the identification data of the first figure and the second
figure. For example, the scenario data corresponding to the first
figure and the second figure can be retrieved from the content
database 2210 via the base device 2000 or the electronic device
4000. When the scenario data is retrieved via the electronic device
4000, the electronic device 4000 can transmit the scenario data
corresponding to the first figure and the second figure to the base
device 2000. In step S4300, the interactive instruction set for the
first figure and the second figure is dynamically generated
according to the scenario data corresponding to the first figure
and the second figure, and in step S4400, the first figure and the
second figure are enabled to interact with each other according to
the interactive instruction set.
[0032] In other embodiments, the identification data of the first
figure and the second figure can be transmitted to the server via
the network from the base device or the electronic device before
step S4200. After the identification data of the first figure and
the second figure is received, the server can respectively retrieve
the corresponding scenario data from the scenario database
according to the identification data of the first figure and the
second figure, and transmits the scenario data corresponding to the
first figure and the second figure to the base device or the
electronic device, such that the scenario data corresponding to the
first figure and the second figure is stored into the content
database.
[0033] It is understood that, in some embodiments, each figure may
have at least a drive component (not shown). The drive component
can receive part of the interactive instruction set relating to the
figure from the base device, and drive commands according to the
actions in the received interactive instruction set, such that the
figure and/or at least one component of the figure can be
accordingly driven to perform an operation. In some embodiments,
the base device or the figure may comprise a display unit (not
shown in FIG. 3), for displaying the dialogues (ex. texts),
symbols, animations, colors, and/or images in the interactive
instruction set. In some embodiments, the base device or the figure
may comprise a speaker (not shown in FIG. 3), to play the dialogues
by voices, music, and/or sound effects in the interactive
instruction set.
[0034] It is noted that, in some embodiments, when the base device
or the electronic device detects and recognize the figures, the
base device or the electronic device can immediately transmit the
identification data of the figures to the server, and the server
searches, receives or generates the scenario data corresponding to
the figures, dynamically generates the interactive instruction set
according to the scenario data, and transmits the interactive
instruction set back to the base device, such that the first figure
and the second figure can interact with each other according to the
interactive instruction set. In some embodiments, the base device
or the electronic device can store the scenario data corresponding
to the figures in advance. When the identification data of the
figures is detected, the scenario data corresponding to the figures
can be directly retrieved from the content database of the storage
unit in the base device or the electronic device, and the
interactive instruction set can be dynamically generated according
to the retrieved scenario data. In some embodiments, the base
device or the electronic device can periodically or randomly
receive renewed scenario data corresponding to the figures via the
network, and store the renewed scenario data to the content
database.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for
generating an interactive instruction set of the invention.
[0036] In step S5100, a specific topic is determined. It is
understood that, in some embodiments, the specific topic may be a
different classification of scenario, such as a narrative, an
emotional, or a combat scenario. In some embodiments, the specific
topic can be determined randomly. In step S5200, a figure is
selected from the figures for interaction. The selected figure may
be an initial figure. Similarly, in some embodiments, the initial
figure can be randomly selected from the figures. Then, in step
S5300, interactive data for the specific topic is retrieved for the
initial figure from the scenario data corresponding to the initial
figure. Similarly, in some embodiments, the interactive data for
the initial figure can be randomly selected from the scenario data
corresponding to the initial figure. As described, in some
embodiments, the scenario data/interaction data can comprise
dialogues, images, sound effects, and/or actions. After the
interactive data for the initial figure is determined, in step
S5400, interactive data, corresponding to the interactive data for
the initial figure, for the specific topic is retrieved for another
figure (called associated figure) from the scenario data
corresponding to the associated figure. It is understood that, in
some embodiments, the scenario data/interaction data can
respectively define a tag. Relationships among the scenario
data/interaction data can be established via the tags. In step
S5500, it is determined whether the generation of the interactive
instruction set is complete. It is noted that, the determination of
whether the generation of the interactive instruction set is
complete may be different based on different requirements and
applications. In some embodiments, the scenario data corresponding
to the initial figure and/or the associated figure may define a
terminal tag. When the interactive data corresponding to the
initial figure and/or the associated figure has the terminal tag,
the generation of the interactive instruction set is complete. When
the generation of the interactive instruction set is not complete
(No in step S5500), in step S5600, interactive data, corresponding
to the interactive data for the associated figure, for the specific
topic is retrieved for the initial figure from the scenario data
corresponding to the initial figure, and the procedure returns to
step S5400. When the generation of the interactive instruction set
is complete (Yes in step S5500), in step S5700, the interactive
data corresponding to the initial figure and the associated figure
are combined as the interactive instruction set.
[0037] It is noted that, the embodiment of FIG. 5 is used to
generate the interactive instruction set for a specific topic.
However, in some embodiments, the specific topic is not needed to
be determined in advance, and the interactive instruction set
corresponding to the respective figures can be directly determined
according to the respective scenario data.
[0038] Therefore, the figure interactive systems and methods can
dynamically generate an interactive instruction set for multiple
figures, and enable the figures to interact with each other
according to the interactive instruction set. Thus operating
flexibility of the figures is increased.
[0039] Figure interactive methods, or certain aspects or portions
thereof, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable
instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes,
CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium,
wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a
machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an
apparatus for practicing the methods. When implemented on a
general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the
processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously
to the application of specific logic circuits.
[0040] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this
technology can still make various alterations and modifications
without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.
Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and
protected by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *