METHODS AND SYSTEM RELATING TO PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTIONS AND VIRTUAL REPRESENTATIONS

• US 20160193537A1
• Filed: 01/06/2016
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spin Master Limited (Spin Master Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Spin Master Limited (Spin Master Corp.)
• Inventors: May, Timothy Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,901,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/086 with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls

Abstract

In an aspect, a system for game play is provided, comprising a plurality of toy construction elements and a computer system. At least some of the toy construction elements include a first connector and a second connector. The computer system receives identification data relating to physical constructions made from at least two of the construction elements. For a first physical construction made from a first plurality of toy construction elements, the system generates a virtual representation of a first character, and generates a first set of properties for the virtual representation of the first character. For a second physical construction made from a second, larger, plurality of toy construction elements, the system generates a virtual representation of a second character based, and generates a second set of properties for the virtual representation of the second character. The system receives commands to operate the generated virtual representation in a virtual environment.

Claims

1. A system for game play, comprising:

a plurality of toy construction elements, wherein at least some of the toy construction elements include a first connector and a second connector; and

a computer system connected to receive identification data relating to physical constructions made from at least two of the toy construction elements, wherein, for a first physical construction made from a first plurality of toy construction elements, the computer system is programmed to generate a virtual representation of a first character based on the first physical construction, and to generate a first set of properties for the virtual representation of the first character based on each of the toy construction elements in the first physical construction,

and wherein, for a second physical construction made from a second plurality of toy construction elements that is larger in number than the first plurality of construction elements, the computer system is programmed to generate a virtual representation of a second character based on the second physical construction, and to generate a second set of properties for the virtual representation of the second character based on each of the toy construction elements in the second physical construction,

and wherein the computer system is programmed to receive commands to operate whichever virtual representation is generated, in a virtual environment.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification data includes image data relating to the physical constructions.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the construction elements represent body parts of the characters, and wherein the system further comprises a plurality of tools that are connectable to the construction elements, and wherein the computer system is programmed to generate virtual tools for the virtual representations of the characters based on the presence of the tools in the physical constructions.

4. A method of generating virtual representations, comprising:

a) receiving first image data relating to a physical example of the product, wherein the product is made from a plurality of toy construction elements including at least one product identifier construction element and at least one secondary construction element, wherein the at least one product identifier construction element has a first orientation and a first position;

b) determining what the product is from a set of possible products, based on at least one of the first orientation of the at least one product identifier construction element; and

the first position of the at least one product identifier construction element, and not based on the orientation of the at least one secondary construction element, and not based on the position of the at least one secondary construction element; and

c) generating a virtual representation of the product based on the determination in step b).

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the product is a first product, and wherein the method further comprises:

d) after step c), receiving second image data relating to a physical example of a second product, wherein the physical example of the second product is made from the plurality of toy construction elements and includes the at least one product identifier construction element in a second orientation and a second position;

e) determining what the second product is from the set of possible products, based on at least one of the second orientation of the at least one product identifier construction element; and

the second position of the at least one product identifier construction element, wherein said at least one of the second orientation and the second position is different than the first orientation and the first position respectively, and not based on the orientation of the at least one secondary construction element, and not based on the position of the at least one secondary construction element; and

f) generating a virtual representation of the second product based on the determination in step e).

6. A method of encouraging ownership of a physical example of a character, comprising:

a) receiving first image data relating to the physical example of the product;

b) generating a virtual representation of the character based on the first image data;

c) providing a virtual environment in which the virtual representation of the character is operable;

d) requesting second image data relating to the physical example of the character;

e) receiving the second image data;

f) assessing whether the second image data and the first image data relate to the same product; and

g) permitting further operation of the virtual representation of the character based on the result of step f).

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first image data is an image.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second image data includes image data depicting substantially 360 degrees of view around the physical example of the character about an axis.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the physical example of the character is made from a plurality of toy construction elements that are releasably connected together.

10. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein step d) takes place immediately after the virtual representation of the character completes a selected task in the virtual environment.

11. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein step g) further includes at least one of:

adding a new property to the virtual representation of the character, and improving an existing property of the virtual representation of the character.