System and method for playsets using tracked objects and corresponding virtual worlds

• US 20110028219A1
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Shin, Christopher K., Berling, Natasha, Hefter, Tara Cortner, Saygan, Robert, Heatherly, Christopher W., Mazzocco, Leonard J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,939,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/52 Dolls' houses, furniture or other equipment simulating liquid flow A63H33/3022; Dolls' clothing or footwear

Abstract

There is provided a system and method for playsets using tracked objects and corresponding virtual worlds. There is provided an object for use with a physical environment and connectable to a virtual world corresponding to the physical environment, the object including a processor and a plurality of sensors including a position sensor. The processor is configured to establish a first connection with the virtual world, wherein the virtual world contains a virtual object corresponding to the object, determine a position of the object using the position sensor, and send the position of the object using the first connection. There is also provided a physical environment having similar capabilities as the object.

Claims

1. An object for use with a physical environment and connectable to a virtual world corresponding to the physical environment, the object comprising:

a plurality of sensors including a position sensor; and

a processor configured to;

establish a first connection between the object and the virtual world, wherein the virtual world contains a virtual object corresponding to the object and the physical environment;

determine a position of the object in the physical environment using the position sensor; and

send the position of the object in the physical environment to the virtual world using the first connection.

2. The object of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to send the position to cause a position of the virtual object in the virtual world to correspond to the position of the object in the physical environment.

3. The object of claim 1, further comprising:

a timer; and

a memory storing a history of events, wherein each of the events is associated with a timestamp using the timer and an input from the plurality of sensors.

4. The object of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to update a state of the virtual object using the first connection and the history of events.

5. The object of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to update the state of the virtual object using the first connection by also using the timer.

6. The object of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to:

terminate the first connection;

detect a first input from the plurality of sensors;

update the history of events using the first input;

establish a second connection between the object and the virtual world; and

update the state of the virtual object using the second connection and the history of events.

7. The object of claim 1, wherein the first connection is established by communicating with the physical environment, wherein the physical environment communicates with the virtual world.

8. The object of claim 1, wherein the first connection is established by using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection to a computer, wherein the computer communicates with the virtual world.

9. The object of claim 1, wherein the first connection is established by using a wireless connection to a network in communication with the virtual world.

10. The object of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a figural toy.

11. A physical environment for use with an object and connectable to a virtual world corresponding to the physical environment, the physical environment comprising:

a position sensor; and

a processor configured to;

establish a first connection between the physical environment and the virtual world, wherein the virtual world contains a virtual object corresponding to the object and the physical environment;

determine a position of the object in the physical environment using the position sensor; and

send the position of the object in the physical environment to the virtual world using the first connection.

12. The physical environment of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to send the position to cause a position of the virtual object in the virtual world to correspond to the position of the object in the physical environment.

13. The physical environment of claim 11, wherein the physical environment comprises a playset.

14. An object providing time contextual interactivity, the object comprising:

a timer;

a plurality of sensors;

a memory storing a history of events, wherein each of the events is associated with a timestamp using the timer and an input from the plurality of sensors; and

a processor configured to provide a feedback based on the history of events and the timer for providing the time contextual interactivity.

15. The object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors include an object accessory detector for detecting a presence of an accessory object.

16. The object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors include a position sensor for determining a position of the object.

17. The object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors include a touch sensor for detecting a touch interaction with the object.

18. The object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors include a light sensor for detecting an ambient light level.

19. The object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors include a microphone for recording sound.

20. The object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors include a video camera for recording video.

21. The object of claim 14, wherein the feedback comprises emitting a visible light.

22. The object of claim 14, wherein the feedback comprises a movement of a portion of the object.

23. The object of claim 14, wherein the feedback comprises emitting a sound.

24. A method for use by a physical environment tracking an object and connectable to a virtual world corresponding to the physical environment, the method comprising:

establishing a first connection between the physical environment and the virtual world, wherein the virtual world contains a virtual object corresponding to the object and the physical environment;

determining a position of the object in the physical environment using a position sensor; and

sending the position of the object in the physical environment to the virtual world using the first connection.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the sending of the position causes a position of the virtual object in the virtual world to correspond to the position of the object in the physical environment.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising updating a state of the virtual object using the first connection and a history of events, wherein each of the events is associated with a timestamp using a timer and an input from a plurality of sensors.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

terminating the first connection;

detecting a first input from the plurality of sensors;

updating the history of events using the first input;

establishing a second connection between the physical environment and the virtual world; and

updating the state of the virtual object using the second connection and the history of events.