U.S. patent application number 13/639411 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for interacting toys.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIBRAE LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Steven Lipman. Invention is credited to Steven Lipman.
Application Number | 20130244539 13/639411 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42228919 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130244539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lipman; Steven |
September 19, 2013 |
INTERACTING TOYS
Abstract
The present invention relates to toys that are enabled to
interact with other such toys, and in particular a toy comprising:
a processor for generating interactions between such toy and at
least one other toy capable of interacting with such toy; an
interaction tracking engine for generating data related to the
interactions; and a memory connected to said interaction tracking
engine for storing said data. The invention further relates to a
server comprising: means for communicating with a plurality of
toys, means for receiving data related to each said toy; means for
processing said data; and means for allocating points to each said
toy in dependence on said processed data.
Inventors: |
Lipman; Steven; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lipman; Steven |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
LIBRAE LIMITED
Ramsey
IM
|
Family ID: |
42228919 |
Appl. No.: |
13/639411 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
April 6, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB11/50684 |
371 Date: |
May 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/28 20130101; A63H
2200/00 20130101; A63H 33/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/484 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 6, 2010 |
GB |
1005718.0 |
Claims
1. A toy comprising: a processor for generating interactions
between such toy and at least one other toy capable of interacting
with such toy; an interaction tracking engine for generating data
related to the interactions, wherein said data includes a measure
of the interactions, such as a count related to said interactions
and/or a temporal measure; and a memory connected to said
interaction tracking engine for storing said data.
2. The toy according to claim 1 further comprising means for
outputting said data, preferably to a server.
3. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said memory is adapted to
store said data relating to a plurality of interactions.
4. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the type of said data is
predetermined.
5. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said data is statistical
data.
6. The toy according to claim 5, wherein said measure includes a
count related to said interactions.
7. The toy according to claim 5, wherein said measure is a temporal
measure.
8. The toy according to claim 5, wherein said measure includes at
least one of the following: the total number of separate
interactions, the total number of separate interactions between the
toy and each other specific toy, the total number of incidences of
the toy using a particular interaction, the time of day of the
interaction, and the total time the toy has participated in
interactions.
9. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said data includes whether
a predetermined interaction, such as a specific phrase and/or word,
has been used during an interaction.
10. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said interaction is an
audible interaction.
11. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said interaction is a
physical interaction.
12. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising means for
analyzing said data, wherein said analyzing means determines when a
predetermined target value, associated with said data, has been
reached.
13. The toy according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined
target value is a count related to said data.
14. The toy according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined
target value is a duration.
15. The toy according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined
target value includes at least one of: the total number of separate
interactions, the total number of separate interactions between the
toy and each other specific toy, the total number of incidences of
the toy using a particular interaction, the time of day of the
interaction and the total time the toy has participated in
interactions.
16. The toy according to claim 12, further comprising means for
outputting said analysis.
17. The toy according to claim 16, wherein said analysis outputting
means incorporates a unique identifier, associated with said toy,
with said analysis.
18. The toy according to claim 2, wherein said data outputting
means incorporates a unique identifier, associated with said toy,
with said data.
19. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy is a computer,
and the form of said toy is represented by an avatar on said
computer's screen.
20. The toy according to claim 1, wherein said toy is an individual
object.
21. A server comprising: means for communicating with a plurality
of toys, means for receiving data related to each said toy; means
for processing said data; and means for allocating points to each
said toy in dependence on said processed data.
22. The server according to claim 21, wherein said points are
stored in memory associated with each respective toy.
23. The server according to claim 21, further comprising means for
comparing the points associated with each toy.
24. The server according to claim 23, wherein said comparison means
is adapted to generate a ranked list of toys according to the
number of points associated with each respective toy.
25. The server according to claim 24, wherein said processing means
determines when a predetermined target value, associated with said
data, has been reached.
26. The server according to claim 25, wherein said predetermined
target value is a count related to said data.
27. The server according to claim 25, wherein said predetermined
target value is a duration.
28. The server according to claim 21, wherein each said toy is a
toy comprising: a processor for generating interactions between
such to and at least one other to capable of interacting with such
toy; an interaction tracking engine for generating data related to
the interactions; and a memory connected to said interaction
tracking engine for storing said data.
29. The server according to claim 28, wherein said predetermined
target value includes at least one of: the total number of separate
interactions, the total number of separate interactions between the
toy and each other specific toy, the total number of incidences of
the toy using a particular interaction, the time of day of the
interaction and the total time the toy has participated in
interactions.
30. The toy according to claim 1, further comprising a server
including: means for communicating with a plurality of toys, means
for receiving data related to each said toy; means for processing
said data; and means for allocating points to each said toy in
dependence on said processed data.
31. An augmented reality system, including: a processor; means for
receiving a code; an avatar generation engine adapted to generate
an avatar in dependence on said code; means for outputting data
representing an image comprising the avatar generated by the avatar
generation engine; and means for communicating with a physical
toy.
32. The system according to claim 31, wherein said code receiving
means is adapted to receive a code via a manual input.
33. The system according to claim 31, wherein said code receiving
means is adapted to receive a code via a camera.
34. The system according to any of claim 31, wherein said code is
on a toy.
35. The system according to claim 34, wherein said toy is a doll or
a card.
36. The system according to claim 31, wherein said communication
means includes a wireless adapter.
37. The system according to claim 36, further comprising means for
identifying said toy, and a theme stored within said toy, wherein
said avatar and said toy then communicate within said theme.
38. The system according to claim 37, wherein said communication
includes, speech and actions.
39. An augmented reality system as claimed in claim 31, further
comprising: means for receiving image data, said image data
representing an image of a physical toy in a physical environment,
wherein said outputting means is adapted to output data
representing said image comprising the generated avatar together
with the image of the physical toy in the physical environment;
means for outputting data representing an image comprising the
generated avatar together with the image of the physical toy in the
physical environment; and means for receiving activity data
representing an action of the physical toy; wherein the processor
is adapted to analyze said received activity data and to generate
an action for performance by the avatar in response to the received
activity data, whereby said avatar and said physical toy appear to
interact in said physical environment.
40. An augmented reality system, comprising: a processor; an avatar
generation engine adapted to generate an avatar; means for
outputting data representing an image comprising the generated
avatar together with the image of the physical toy in the physical
environment; and means for receiving activity data representing an
action of the physical toy; wherein the processor is adapted to
analyze said received activity data and to generate an action for
performance by the avatar in response to the received activity
data, whereby said avatar and said physical toy appear to interact
in said physical environment.
41. The augmented reality system as claimed in claim 40, wherein
said activity data represents speech.
42. The augmented reality system as claimed in claim 40, wherein
said activity data represents a physical action.
43. (canceled)
44. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This invention relates to toys. In particular, although not
exclusively, this invention relates to toys such as dolls that
interact with each other.
[0002] Embedded computers and micro-processors have improved toys
for children. They have been used most extensively in educational
toys, but have also been used in interactive toys. ActiMates.RTM.
Barney.RTM. is one example of an interactive toy which responds to
interaction from a child by appropriate vocalisations, and can
sing-a-long to videos.
Interaction Tracking
[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a toy comprising: a processor for generating interactions
between such toy and at least one other toy capable of interacting
with such toy; an interaction tracking engine for generating data
related to the interactions; and a memory connected to said
interaction tracking engine for storing said data.
[0004] Preferably, the toy further comprises means for outputting
said data.
[0005] Preferably, the memory is adapted to store said data
relating to a plurality of interactions.
[0006] Preferably, the type of said data is predetermined.
[0007] Preferably, the data includes a measure of the interactions.
More preferably, the measure includes a count related to the
interactions and/or the measure is a temporal measure.
[0008] Preferably, the measure includes at least one of the
following: the total number of separate interactions, the total
number of separate interactions between the toy and each other
specific toy, the total number of incidences of the toy using a
particular interaction, the time of day of the interaction and the
total time the toy has participated in interactions.
[0009] Preferably, the data includes whether a predetermined
interaction, such as a specific phrase and/or word, has been used
during an interaction.
[0010] Preferably, the interaction is an audible interaction (for
example speech), and/or a physical interaction.
[0011] Preferably, the toy further comprises means for analysing
said data, wherein said analysing means determines when a
predetermined target value, associated with said data, has been
reached. More preferably, the predetermined target value is a count
related to said data and/or the predetermined target value is a
duration.
[0012] Preferably, the predetermined target value includes at least
one of: the total number of separate interactions, the total number
of separate interactions between the toy and each other specific
toy, the total number of incidences of the toy using a particular
interaction, the time of day of the interaction and the total time
the toy has participated in interactions.
[0013] Preferably, the toy further comprises means for outputting
said analysis. More preferably, the analysis outputting means
incorporates a unique identifier, associated with said toy, with
said analysis.
[0014] Preferably, the data outputting means incorporates a unique
identifier, associated with said toy, with said data.
[0015] Preferably, the toy is a computer, and the form of said toy
is represented by an avatar on said computer's screen.
[0016] Preferably, the toy is an individual object.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a server comprising: means for communicating with a
plurality of toys, means for receiving data related to each said
toy; means for processing said data; and means for allocating
points to each said toy in dependence on said processed data.
[0018] Preferably, the points are stored in memory associated with
each respective toy.
[0019] Preferably, the server further comprises means for comparing
the points associated with each toy. More preferably, the
comparison means is adapted to generate a ranked list of toys
according to the number of points associated with each respective
toy. Yet more preferably, the processing means determines when a
predetermined target value, associated with said data, has been
reached.
[0020] Preferably, the predetermined target value is a count
related to said data and/or is a duration.
[0021] Preferably, the toy is a toy substantially as herein
described.
[0022] Preferably, the predetermined target value includes at least
one of: the total number of separate interactions, the total number
of separate interactions between the toy and each other specific
toy, the total number of incidences of the toy using a particular
interaction, the time of day of the interaction and the total time
the toy has participated in interactions.
Augmented Reality with Intercommunication
[0023] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention
there is provided an augmented reality system, including: a
processor; means for receiving a code; an avatar generation engine
adapted to generate an avatar in dependence on said code; and means
for outputting data representing an image comprising the avatar
generated by the avatar generation engine.
[0024] Preferably, the code receiving means is adapted to receive a
code via a manual input.
[0025] Preferably, the code receiving means is adapted to receive a
code via a camera.
[0026] Preferably, the code is on a toy, and the toy may be a doll
or a card.
[0027] Preferably, the system further comprises means for
communicating with a physical toy. Preferably, the communication
means includes a wireless adapter.
[0028] Preferably, the system further comprises means for
identifying said toy, and a theme stored within said toy, wherein
said avatar and said toy then communicate within said theme.
Preferably, the interaction includes, speech and actions.
[0029] Preferably, the system further comprises: means for
receiving image data, said image data representing an image of a
physical toy in a physical environment, wherein said outputting
means is adapted to output data representing said image comprising
the generated avatar together with the image of the physical toy in
the physical environment; means for outputting data representing an
image comprising the generated avatar together with the image of
the physical toy in the physical environment; and means for
receiving activity data representing an action of the physical toy;
wherein the processor is adapted to analyse said received activity
data and to generate an action for performance by the avatar in
response to the received activity data, whereby said avatar and
said physical toy appear to interact in said physical
environment.
[0030] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention
there is provided an augmented reality system, comprising: a
processor; an avatar generation engine adapted to generate an
avatar; means for outputting data representing an image comprising
the generated avatar together with the image of the physical toy in
the physical environment; and means for receiving activity data
representing an action of the physical toy; wherein the processor
is adapted to analyse said received activity data and to generate
an action for performance by the avatar in response to the received
activity data, whereby said avatar and said physical toy appear to
interact in said physical environment.
[0031] Preferably, the activity data represents speech and/or a
physical action.
[0032] Apparatus and method features may be interchanged as
appropriate, and may be provided independently one of another. Any
feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other
aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In
particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and
vice versa.
[0033] Embodiments of this invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of
which:
[0034] FIG. 1 (Prior art) is a schematic illustration of a
doll;
[0035] FIG. 2 (Prior art) is a schematic illustration of a wireless
communications dongle;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a doll with
interactions tracking;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an augmented reality device;
[0038] The basic features and operation of such interacting toys
are known in the art, for example in International Patent
Publication No. WO2009/010760; however a brief description is
provided below to aid in the understanding of the present
invention.
[0039] The following description relates to a known toy, such as a
toy doll, that is enabled to communicate with other such toys; the
dolls are adapted to coordinate the speech between the dolls.
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the known doll,
with the hardware components required to allow the doll to
communicate, and perform other such tasks. The doll 100, as shown
in FIG. 1, comprises a processor 102 that includes a wireless
module 104. The processor is in communication with memory 106, ROM
108, and RAM 110. An IR/RF transmitter/receiver is connected to the
processor/wireless module and is enabled to transmit/receive
signals to/from other such dolls. The doll is also connected to a
loud speaker 114. A USB controller 116 is used to update the memory
106, and also to charge, via the charger circuitry 118, the battery
120.
[0041] The memory 106 stores information relating to conversations
that the dolls can have, and is accessed by the processor when it
is compiling speech. The ROM 108 is used to store permanent
information relating to the doll, such as the doll's name and ID
number. This information is used in the initialisation procedure
when setting up a network of dolls. The RAM 110 stores information
relating to the current conversation and is used in order to
produce more realistic conversation by storing information relating
to the phrases already used for example.
[0042] Each doll 100 contains in memory 106: a data set containing
the doll's name, and other variables defined during a conversation;
a set of instructions which produces the conversation; and a set of
audio data. The variables defined during the conversation are only
stored in the controller doll.
[0043] The dolls are adapted to download theme via a PC from a
website, and then converse in that theme with other such dolls.
[0044] A USB communications dongle is also described in
International Patent Publication No. WO2009/010760, that enables a
PC to interact wirelessly with a toy. FIG. 2 shows a schematic
representation of the USB communications dongle 1600, attached to a
PC 304, and in wireless communication with the dolls 100. The
dongle contains a wireless module 104, an IR/RF
transmitter/receiver 212, and an interface 1602. These components,
except the interface 1602, are the same as contained within the
doll 100, as described above. However, the PC 304 is utilised as
the processor 1604, instead of the dongle having an independent
processor as the doll 100 has, and so the PC effectively becomes a
virtual doll able to communicate with the physical dolls 100. The
virtual doll is provided with an animated avatar shown on the PC
monitor, that may be similar in appearance to the real doll, and
whereby the animation of the avatar is synchronised with the speech
of the doll. In order to run the conversations, the PC has stored
in memory 1606 an emulator for emulating the processor of the
toy.
[0045] The website is arranged to allow the user to download
various themes, and also to interact with other users. This enables
the users to interact both in the virtual world--via chat rooms,
games, competitions, or the like--and in the physical world--by
playing with other users with the communicating dolls.
[0046] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a
website, described in further detail below, is provided that
enables a user to log in, and register his/her details, such as the
type and number of toy dolls he/she has, the name of his/her toy
doll(s), etc. The website provides features such as: friendship
groups via social network, live chat, downloadable stories (related
to the downloadable themes), and communicating characters with real
voices. Characters can be named, styled, saved, and posted up to
the website so that other users can vote upon them. This allows
users to compete with each other for points that are awarded to the
users based on the voting, the number of posts to the website,
etc.
[0047] Also, in the physical world, Limited Edition labels are
provided in the doll clothes. The Limited Edition labels are
provided with a code that can be entered into the website to
accumulate points, or to receive special gifts, etc.
[0048] The website is provided with the functionality to rank
users, with the results being updated continually, but with weekly,
monthly, and annual competitions. The competitions can be regional,
national, and international. This enables an "X Factor" style
competition amongst home country users and internationally on a
global scale, and allows prizes to be awarded, and for bronze,
silver, gold, loyalty card/awards to be provided to the users.
[0049] The users can accumulate points in dependence on a number of
other factors, such as: [0050] Creating an account on the website
(for example this may provide bonus points) [0051] The type of
theme that is downloaded in to the doll (for example, downloading a
more socially acceptable theme, i.e. health or sport related,
provides more points than a less socially acceptable theme) [0052]
The statistics of the interactions between the physical dolls (see
below for further details) [0053] Doing well in quizzes [0054]
Playing games, including top trump style card games, on-line games,
etc [0055] Finding special cards within physical card packs bought
by the user [0056] Hearing the "Golden Phrase" of the week (see
below for further details)
[0057] Further, during the challenges, quizzes, games etc, the user
can be aided by his/her online friends in order to accumulate
points more quickly. The users can create groups (of his/her
friends) and compete with other such groups in a group ranking
competition, similar to the individual user competition described
above.
Interaction Tracking
[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a toy doll. The doll 200
comprises similar components to the prior art doll 100, but further
comprises an interaction tracking engine 202 that includes
additional memory 204. The interaction tracking engine is connected
to the processor 102.
[0059] As with doll 100, doll 200 is adapted to download themes via
a PC from a website, and then converse in that theme with other
such dolls. The conversations are constructed in a similar way to
that described in International Patent Publication No.
WO2009/010760, which is hereby incorporated by reference; see in
particular Page 12 line 28 to Page 18 line 2.
[0060] During the interactions between the dolls, the interaction
tracking engine is utilised to track the interactions and store in
memory 204 the statistics relating to those interactions. The
statistics that are stored include, but are not limited to, any
some or all of the following measures: [0061] the total number of
separate interactions between the doll and any other doll, or dolls
(for example, the interaction could be between a group of more than
two dolls); [0062] the total number of separate interactions
between the doll, and each other specific doll (i.e. the number of
separate interactions between Doll A and Doll B, between Doll A and
Doll C, etc); [0063] the total number of incidences of the doll
using a particular word or phrase (i.e. the number of times Doll A
says "I have a new dress!"); [0064] the total time the doll has
participated in interactions; [0065] the total time the doll has
participated in interactions since the last time the doll was
connected to a PC and the website; [0066] whether or not a specific
phrase has been used during an interaction; and [0067] the time of
day that each interaction occurred
[0068] In the above, an interaction with a PC avatar doll is
counted as if it were an interaction with a physical doll.
[0069] The interaction tracking engine monitors the interactions
between dolls utilising doll identifiers, specific to each type of
doll (for example, all type A dolls have the same identifier), or
alternatively the identifiers are specific to each individual doll.
The interaction tracking engine is adapted to create a database,
stored in memory 204, that lists the interactions between the doll
and other dolls using the doll identifiers. Further, since each
phrase, or word, has an identifier, any of the phrases, or words,
can be tracked in the database in the same way as described
above.
[0070] Using the phrase/word tracking ability the "Golden Phrase"
is tracked to determine if/when the phrase is used by the doll. By
connecting the doll to a PC, logging into the website, and then
downloading the latest theme, the user is provided with the "Golden
Phrase" within the theme. On the website the "Golden Phrase" is
announced, and when the user hears the "Golden Phrase" during an
interaction between a group of dolls, the event of the doll using
the "Golden Phrase" is tracked and stored in the interaction
tracking database. Thus, when the doll is once again logged in to
the website, the website verifies that the "Golden Phrase" has been
used and awards points, or a prize, to the user.
[0071] As is known, an interaction is constructed by allocating
weightings to each possible response at any point in the
interaction. The "Golden Phrase" is generally provided with a low
weighting (i.e. the probability that the "Golden Phrase" is used
during an interaction is relatively low), and thus the user may be
required to initiate interaction in any one theme a number of times
before the "Golden Phrase" is used; this ensures that the life span
of any one theme is increased, and the users gain reward points in
the process.
[0072] Likewise, points can be awarded for reaching certain targets
of any of the statistics; for example, once the user's doll has had
5, 10, 20, etc interactions in one particular time period (e.g. a
week, a month, or a year) a number of points will be awarded. Any
other statistic can be used as the basis for awarding points, for
example the length of the interactions (i.e. points for each 10
minutes of interaction in a week).
[0073] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the back-end server 400
that communicates with the doll 200 via the user's PC 402 and the
website 404; the back-end server facilitates the operation of the
website and the awarding and storing of points as described above.
The Doll's unique ID is verified by checking the Doll ID memory 406
located in the server. Likewise, when the user logs into the
website the user's ID is verified by checking the User ID memory
408. All of the data transmitted from the Doll to the server, or
from the server to the doll 200/user 410, is passed through the
data interface 412.
[0074] The server processor 414 processes the data received via the
data interface, and determines the number of reward points that are
to be assigned to the user 410 based on the interaction data
downloaded from the doll using a rewards engine 416. Alternatively,
the doll is adapted to determine the number of reward points that
are due by pre-processing the data accumulated by the interaction
tracking engine before transmitting the data to the server. In this
way, the amount of data transferred between the doll and the server
can be reduced.
[0075] As discussed above, rewards can be provided to the user once
certain goals have been achieved. Hence, the reward engine 416
accesses the data relating to the number of points the user 410 has
stored in the memory 418 within the points accumulator 420. Once a
goal number of points has been achieved a reward is provided to the
user. Since the memory 418 stores data for all users the reward
engine can provide listings of the users with the most points, thus
enabling the weekly, monthly, and yearly rewards to be given to the
appropriate users. In addition, the reward engine is adapted to
provide the doll with the "Golden Phrase"; details of the "Golden
Phrase" are described above. The creator of the server end data,
i.e. a webmaster or the like, inputs the current "Golden Phrase" by
referencing a word/phrase using the word/phrase ID number already
used within the themes. Alternatively, a special word/phrase can be
incorporated into the theme during its generation for use as the
"Golden Phrase".
[0076] FIG. 5 shows the format of the data 500 transmitted from the
doll to the server. As can be seen the data comprises the
information described above that is tracked by the interaction
tracking engine.
Augmented Reality
[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, there is also provided means for
generating an augmented reality. A camera 600, such as a webcam,
connected to the user's PC 602 is used to obtain a real-time video
stream of a play area. The augmented reality is initiated when a
user introduces an object 604, with an imprinted code 606, into the
play area 609. The functionality may be provided through the
website 404, or via a stand-alone application on the user's PC
602.
[0078] By providing the ability to recognise codes or the like
using the camera connected to the user's PC the online
website/application provides additional functionality to the user.
The website/application recognises the code using the code
recognition engine 610 (the code may or may not be visible to the
user) and then interprets that code into an online image, or text
using the avatar generation engine; for example, the code could
represent the doll that the code is imprinted on, and then an
avatar 608 representing that doll is generated and shown on the
user's PC screen 612. The avatar and the real doll can then
communicate, via the USB communications dongle described above, as
if the avatar were a real doll. Hence, the real doll and the
virtual doll in the form of an avatar can both appear on the user's
PC screen.
[0079] Alternatively, in the absence of a camera 600, the code can
be inputted into the PC manually. In a similar way to that
described above, the code recognition engine then interprets the
code and the avatar generation engine, generates an avatar 608.
However, only the avatar is shown on the PC screen, but the
physical doll and the avatar can still interact via the
communications dongle.
[0080] The user is required to log on to the website before the
augmented reality can be generated, and so the user's details are
known, i.e. what dolls they own; this is accomplished using both
the user and the doll ID's. Therefore, when the interaction is
generated it is known what theme the physical doll currently has
within memory. Thus the correct theme can be used by the avatar.
This can also be accomplished by identifying the doll, connected
wirelessly to the PC via the communications dongle, using the
doll's unique identifier, and so a user's friend's doll can also
interact with an avatar at the same time as the user's doll.
[0081] Further, the means for providing augmented reality can
recognise a plurality of objects, and produce a plurality of
avatars on the user's PC screen. These avatars then communicate
with each other, and/or a physical doll.
[0082] Alternatively, the code 608 is used to provide a reference
to a special theme that is then automatically downloaded to the
doll, and then the doll and the avatar communicate within that
theme.
[0083] In addition, there is provided object recognition software
that enables the website/application to recognise certain objects,
such as items of specific clothing, toy sports equipment, etc. By
introducing the object, the course of the interaction may be
altered, for example, the weightings of the next phrases can be
altered such that it is more likely that the dolls will communicate
about the object that has just been introduced. For example, if a
toy jumper is introduced, the weighting for communicating about
clothes shopping is increased by an order of magnitude. In this
way, the user can influence the interaction between the dolls.
[0084] In an alternative, the augmented reality system can
recognise a code for, for example, a pregnant doll, and will then
spawn an avatar in the form of a baby. This is expanded such that
the code can represent any virtual object. For example, the code
could represent a new pair of shoes that are automatically shown on
the real doll's feet on the user's PC screen. This is put into
effect using the object recognition software described above, since
the doll can be recognised, and hence the image of the shoes can be
placed correctly on the screen to make it appear as though the
shoes are actually on the doll.
[0085] When the user introduces the object, a card or the like,
into the play area points are given to the user's account.
Depending on the type of object a different number of points are
given. The cards or the like can be obtained from the website
itself, or from retail shops.
[0086] In summary, each doll has unique identifier (tag or number),
and every unit is identifiable as a unit. The user logs on the
website, connects the doll to the PC (the doll being recognised
using the unique identifier), and the user can then input personal
details about the doll; i.e. name, favourite colour, favourite
pets, favourite music etc. The user is then able to acquire points
on his/her account, associated with the doll, by way of: [0087]
connecting the doll to the website (i.e. every time you connect you
get a single point); [0088] based on the statistical parameters
discussed above; [0089] collecting golden key phrases [0090]
playing games
[0091] By accumulating points through playing with the physical
doll the user is competing with other users and weekly, monthly,
and annually winners are announced who receive prizes.
[0092] It is of course to be understood that the invention is not
intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments
which are described by way of example only, and modifications of
detail can be made within the scope of the invention.
[0093] Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where
appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently
or in any appropriate combination.
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