Interactive toy system

• US 20070093173A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• 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 8,157,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/268
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors

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, a first antenna, and an infrared receiver;

b. providing a base station having a controller, the base station further including an infrared transmitter and a second antenna that are coupled to the controller;

c. providing an action figure having a memory which stores data relating to the action figure, and a third antenna;

d. communicating the data in the form of communication signals from the memory to the third antenna, then from the third antenna to the second antenna, then from the second antenna to the infrared transmitter, then from the infrared transmitter to the infrared receiver, and then to the processor; and

e. 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, and a fourth antenna;

communicating the accessory data in the form of accessory communication signals from the memory of the accessory to the fourth antenna, then from the fourth antenna to the second antenna, then from the second antenna to the infrared transmitter, then from the infrared transmitter to the infrared receiver, and then to the processor; and

presenting the activity instruction based on the accessory 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 appendages on 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 interacting with an action figure, comprising:

a. providing a base unit having a first processor and a first port;

b. providing a storage device that is removably coupled to the port of the base unit, the storage device having a second processor, the storage device having a second port and a first antenna that are coupled to the second processor;

c. providing an action figure having a memory which stores data relating to the action figure, and a second antenna;

d. communicating the data in the form of communication signals from the memory to the second antenna, then from the second antenna to the first antenna, then from the first antenna to the second port, then from the second port to the first port, and then to the processor; and

e. 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.

10. The method of claim 9, further including:

further providing the 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.

11. The method of claim 9, further including:

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

communicating the accessory data in the form of accessory communication signals from the memory of the accessory to the third antenna, then from the third antenna to the first antenna, then from the first antenna to the second port, then from the second port to the first port, and then to the processor; and

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

12. The method of claim 9, further including:

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

13. The method of claim 9, further including:

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

displaying the activity instruction on the monitor.

14. The method of claim 9, further including:

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

15. The method of claim 11, further including:

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

16. The method of claim 9, further including:

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