Toy incorporating RFID tag

• US 10,307,683 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2018
• Issued: 06/04/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Inventors: Weston, Denise Chapman
• Primary Examiner(s): Liddle, Jay Trent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rada, II, Alex F. R. P.
• Application Number:
  US15/907,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20180318723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/00 Dolls puppets or marionettes for shows or theatres A63J19/006
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/02 made of fabrics or stuffed
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/48 Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes or parts for animation self-moving A63H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers

Abstract

A playmate toy or similar children'"'"'s toy is provided having associated wireless, batteryless ID tag that can be read from and/or written to using a radio-frequency communication protocol. The tag is mounted internally within a cavity of the toy and thereby provides wireless communication of stored information without requiring removal and reinsertion of the tag. In this manner, a stuffed animal or other toy can be quickly and easily identified non-invasively, without damaging the toy. Additional information (e.g., unique personality traits, special powers, skill levels, etc.) can also be stored on the ID tag, thus providing further personality enhancement, input/output programming, simulated intelligence and/or interactive gaming possibilities.

Claims

1. A toy comprising:

a body having an inner portion; and

a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag located within the inner portion of said body, wherein the RFID tag comprises;

a unique identifier configured to identify said toy;

a processor;

non-volatile programmable memory; and

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver adapted to facilitate two-way communication with one or more RFID reader devices of a game control system,

wherein the RF transceiver is configured to transmit data to the one or more RFID reader devices, and

wherein the data comprises information to be used in a game, wherein the information is selected from the following;

i) a first selection of information comprising one or more powers associated with said toy, and ii) a second selection of information comprising points or levels reached.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag.

3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is disposed on a support structure.

4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises a plastic sheet substrate.

5. The toy of claim 1, wherein an outer portion of the body comprises a fabric material and wherein the inner portion comprises a stuffing material.

6. The toy of claim 5, wherein the body comprises a form representing an animal.

7. The toy of claim 1, wherein an outer portion of the body comprises a plastic material.

8. The toy of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a form representing an action figure.

9. The toy of claim 1, wherein the inner portion comprises a cavity.

10. A toy comprising:

a body in the form of an animal or an action figure;

a transponder affixed to said body and configured to identify said toy, said transponder comprising;

i) non-volatile programmable memory,

ii) a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to facilitate two-way communication with one or more RFID reader devices,

iii) a processor, and

iv) an antenna configured to receive energy through inductive coupling with an externally applied electromagnetic field to thereby power at least said processor and said RF transceiver;

wherein the RF transceiver is configured to transmit data to the one or more RFID reader devices, and

wherein the data comprises information to be used in a game, the information comprising one or more of the following;

i) in-game abilities associated with the toy, and ii) in-game points or levels reached.

11. The toy of claim 10, wherein the transponder comprises a passive RFID tag.

12. The toy of claim 10, wherein the transponder is disposed on a support structure within said body.

13. The toy of claim 12, wherein the support structure comprises a plastic sheet substrate.

14. The toy of claim 10, wherein an outer portion of the body comprises fabric material and wherein an inner portion of the body comprises stuffing.

15. The toy of claim 10, wherein the transponder is affixed to said body by an adhesive.

16. The toy of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a plastic material, and wherein the body comprises an internal cavity.

17. The toy of claim 16, wherein the transponder is disposed within said internal cavity.

18. A toy comprising:

a body embodying a character or personality;

a transponder contained within said body and configured to identify said toy, said transponder comprising;

i) non-volatile programmable memory,

ii) a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver chip configured to facilitate two-way communication with one or more RFID reader/writer devices,

iii) a processor, and

iv) an antenna configured to receive energy through inductive coupling with an externally applied electromagnetic field to thereby power at least said processor and said RF transmitter/receiver chip,

wherein the RF transmitter/receiver chip is configured to transmit data to the one or more RFID reader/writer devices, and

wherein the data comprises information to be used in a game, the information comprising one or more of the following;

i) in-game abilities associated with the toy, and ii) a personalized name of said toy.

19. The toy of claim 18, wherein the non-volatile programmable memory is pre-programmed with a unique identifier.

20. The toy of claim 18, wherein the transponder comprises a passive RF identification device tag.