Interactive toy system

• US 20070093172A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Original Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Granted Patent: US 8,469,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/268
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 13/02 imitating natural actions, e.g. catching a mouse by a cat, the kicking of an animal
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds

Abstract

Systems and methods for interactive play are provided, including a method of interacting with an action figure. The method includes the steps of providing a base unit having a processor, providing an action figure having a memory which stores data relating to the action figure, communicating the data in the form of communication signals to the processor, and presenting an activity instruction based on the communication signals received, with the activity instruction enacting a real-life activity that the action figure can engage in.

Claims

1. A method of interacting with an action figure, comprising:

a. providing a base unit having a processor;

b. providing an action figure having a memory which stores data relating to the action figure;

c. communicating the data in the form of communication signals to the processor; and

d. presenting an activity instruction from the base unit, the activity instruction being based on the communication signals received, wherein the activity instruction enacts a real-life activity that the action figure can engage in.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing a storage device having a memory which stores instruction data;

communicating the instruction data in the form of instruction signals to the processor; and

presenting the activity instruction based on the communication signals and instruction signals received.

3. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing an accessory associated with the doll, the accessory having a memory which stores accessory data relating to the accessory;

communicating the accessory data in the form of communication signals to the processor; and

presenting the activity instruction based on the communication signals, accessory data and instruction signals received.

4. The method of claim 1, further including:

incorporating the base unit and the action figure into a single unit.

5. The method of claim 1, further including:

coupling the base unit to a computer and a monitor; and

displaying the activity instruction on the monitor.

6. The method of claim 1, further including:

e. transmitting a control signal to the action figure to cause the action figure to experience movement.

7. The method of claim 3, further including:

verifying whether the accessory is the correct accessory designated by the activity instruction.

8. The method of claim 1, further including:

presenting the activity instruction from a screen at the base unit.

9. A method of building an object, comprising:

a. providing a base unit having a processor;

b. selecting a desired object to be built;

c. presenting instructions on how the desired object is to be built;

d. connecting a piece to the base unit in accordance to the instructions, the piece communicating its identity to the processor of the base unit;

e. verifying whether the connected piece is correct; and

f. repeating steps (d) and (e) until the object has been completed.

10. The method of claim 9, further including:

g. presenting an activity instruction from the base unit, the activity instruction enacting a real-life activity that the object can engage in.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the activity instruction is based on data stored at the base unit representing characteristics of the object.

12. The method of claim 10, further including:

presenting the activity instruction from a screen at the base unit.

13. A method of building an object, comprising:

a. providing a base unit having a processor;

b. connecting a piece to the base unit in accordance to the instructions, the piece communicating its identity to the processor of the base unit;

c. based on the identity of the connected piece, presenting instructions on how to build a plurality of objects that include the connected piece;

d. repeating steps (b) and (c) until a desired object has been completed.

14. The method of claim 13, further including:

e. presenting an activity instruction from the base unit, the activity instruction enacting a real-life activity that the object can engage in.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the activity instruction is based on data stored at the base unit representing characteristics of the object.

16. The method of claim 14, further including:

presenting the activity instruction from a screen at the base unit.