Intelligent toy with internet connection capability

• US 20030027636A1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Patton, David L., Covannon, Edward, Stephany, Thomas M., Nass, Kathryn K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,008,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00

Abstract

A system, method and computer software product for controlling the operation of a device in accordance with a user'"'"'s personal profile or local environment. The device is designed for interaction with a user based on the personal or an environment profile and includes a wireless communication device for communicating with a computer. The computer providing instructions to the device for controlling the operation of the device based on gathered data and in response to a stored user'"'"'s personal profile.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the operation of a device in accordance with a user'"'"'s personal profile, comprising:

a device for interaction with a user, said device having a first communication device for wireless communication;

a computer having a second communication device capable of communicating with said first communication device, said computer providing instructions to said device for controlling the operation of said device in response to a stored user'"'"'s personal profile.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said device has at least one sensor for obtaining data for transmitting to said computer which can be used in providing a response for forwarding to said device.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said computer operates in response to said data.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said computer obtains additional data from other sources other than said device for use in providing instructions to said device.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said device includes logic systems for determining if said computer is available for communication or whether another computer system is available for use in obtaining said personal profile.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said other computer goes to said home computer for obtaining said personal profile.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said device provides a URL to said computer.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said device includes a computer whereby independent action can be controlled apart from said home computer.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said device has devices for determining at least one aspect of its environment.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said device comprises a GPS system for determining the location of said device.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said home computer monitors the data received from said device so as to construct and/or adjust a personal profile.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said home computer monitors the local location and environment in which said device is located.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein said home computer obtains information from other devices in proximity with respect to said device and controls the operation of said device in response thereto.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of personal profiles are stored.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of personal profiles comprises at least one profile of a group.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said home computer is provided with a control circuit for controlling certain aspects of the operation of said device.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein a parent can control the operation of said device with a child.

18. A system according to claim 1, wherein a second device interacts with said first device so as to obtain information and/or instructions that have been obtained from said computer.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said second device passes said information and/or instructions to a third device.

20. A system for controlling the operation of a device in accordance with a user'"'"'s personal profile, comprising:

a device for interaction with a user, said device having a communication device for wireless communication;

a computer having a second communication capable of communicating with said first communication device, said computer providing instructions to said device for controlling the operation of said device in response to the data received from said device being used with said user.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said device has at least one sensor for obtaining data for transmitting to said computer which can be used in providing a response for forwarding to said device.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein said computer operates in response to said data.

23. A system according to claim 20, wherein said computer obtains additional data from other sources than said device for use in providing instructions to said device.

24. A system according to claim 20, wherein said device includes logic systems for determining if said computer is available for communication or whether another computer system is available for use in obtaining said personal profile.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said other computer goes to said home computer for obtaining said personal profile.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said device provides a URL to said computer.

27. A system according to claim 20, wherein said device includes a computer whereby independent action can be controlled apart from said home computer.

28. A system according to claim 20, wherein said device has devices for determining at least one aspect of its environment.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said device comprises a GPS system for determining the location of said device.

30. A system according to claim 20, wherein said home computer monitors the data received from said device so as to construct a personal profile, said personal profile and/or adjust said personal profile.

31. A system according to claim 20, wherein said home computer monitors the local location and environment in which said device is located.

32. A system according to claim 20, wherein said home computer obtains information from other devices in proximity with respect to said device and controlling the operation of said device in response thereto.

33. A system according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of personal profiles are stored.

34. A system according to claim 33, where in a plurality of personal profiles comprises at least one profile of a group.

35. A system according to claim 20, wherein said home computer is provided with a control circuit for controlling certain aspects of the operation of said device.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein a parent can control the operation of said device with a child.

37. A method for controlling the actions of device within a local environment with respect to a specific user, comprising the steps of:

obtaining data from said device with respect to the user or said local environment;

processing said data with respect to a profile of the user or the local environment of said device so as to obtain instructions for said device; and

providing said instructions to device for implementation by said device.

38. A method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of updating said profile of said user based on use of said device by said user.

39. A method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of updating said profile of said local environment based on later obtained data with respect to said local environment.

40. A method according to claim 37, wherein said processing of said data is based on a profile that is located at a remote location from the local environment in which said device is present.

41. A method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of obtaining additional data from other devices in the local environment and using said additional data in said processing for providing said instructions.

42. A computer software product method for controlling the actions of device within a local environment with respect to a specific user such that when loaded onto a computer will cause said computer to do the following steps of:

obtain data from a device with respect to the user or said local environment;

processing said data with respect to a profile of the user or the local environment of said device so as to obtain instructions for said device; and

providing said instructions to device for implementation by said device.

43. A computer software product according to claim 42, further comprising the step of updating said profile of said user based on use of said device by said user.

44. A computer software product according to claim 42, further comprising the step of updating said profile of said local environment based on later obtained data with respect to said local environment.

45. A computer software product according to claim 42, wherein said processing of said data is based on a profile that is located at a remote location from the local environment in which said device is present.

46. A computer software product according to claim 42, further comprising the step of obtaining additional data from other devices in the local environment and using said additional data in said processing for providing said instructions.