Children's toy with wireless tag/transponder

• US 7,066,781 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2001
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: Creative Kingdoms LLC (Great Wolf Resorts Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weston, Denise Chapman
• Primary Examiner(s): ACKUN, JACOB K
• Application Number:
  US10/045,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,709 Days
• Field of Search: 446/268, 446/297, 446/298, 446/299, 446/300, 446/301, 446/302, 446/369, 446/484
• US Class Current: 446/268
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/00 Dolls puppets or marionettes for shows or theatres A63J19/006
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/02 made of fabrics or stuffed
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/48 Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes or parts for animation self-moving A63H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers

Abstract

A playmate toy or similar children'"'"'s toy is provided having associated wireless, batteryless ID tag that can be read from and/or written to using a radio-frequency communication protocol. The tag is mounted internally within a cavity of the toy and thereby provides wireless communication of stored information without requiring removal and reinsertion of the tag. In this manner, a stuffed animal or other toy can be quickly and easily identified non-invasively, without damaging the toy. Additional information (e.g., unique personality traits, special powers, skill levels, etc.) can also be stored on the ID tag, thus providing further personality enhancement, input/output programming, simulated intelligence and/or interactive gaming possibilities.

Claims

1. A children'"'"'s toy comprising a doll, puppet or stuffed animal having an outer skin or covering and containing therein a concealed wireless, batteryless tag/transponder configured and adapted to provide storage and retrieval of desired information and wherein said tag/transponder enables communication of said stored information wirelessly through said outer skin or covering without requiring removal or exposure of said tag/transponder.

2. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 1 wherein said tag/transponder comprises a radio-frequency transmitter.

3. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 1 wherein said tag/transponder comprises an RFID tag.

4. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 3 wherein said RFID tag is configured to operate at one or more of the following frequencies:

134.2 kHz, 123.2 kHz or 13.56 mHz.

5. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 3 wherein said RFID tag comprises a 13.56 mHz read/write label tag.

6. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 3 wherein said RFID tag comprises a 134.2 kHz and/or 123.2 kHz, 23 mm glass transponder.

7. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 3 wherein said RFID tag is configured and adapted to use a send/receive radio frequency communication protocol.

8. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 3 wherein said RFID tag is enveloped, contained or otherwise embodied in a generally heart-shaped trinket or case or other shape or form generally representing or symbolizing the heart or life source of the doll, puppet or stuffed animal.

9. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 1 comprising multiple concealed wireless tag/transponders.

10. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 1 wherein said stored information comprises one or more of the following:

toy name, birthday, owner, points, rank, tasks completed, or places visited.

11. A children'"'"'s toy comprising a stuffed animal having an outer skin or covering and an inner stuffing, said stuffed animal containing therein a concealed wireless tag/transponder configured and adapted to provide storage and retrieval of certain desired information and wherein said tag/transponder comprises a read/write RFID tag adapted to send and receive said information wirelessly through said outer skin or covering without damaging said skin or covering and without requiring removal of said RFID tag.

12. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 wherein said RFID tag is configured to operate at one or more of the following frequencies:

134.2 kHz, 123.2 kHz or 13.56 mHz.

13. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 wherein said RFID tag comprises a 13.56 mHz read/write label tag.

14. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 wherein said RFID tag comprises a 134.2 kHz and/or 123.2 kHz, 23 mm glass transponder.

15. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 wherein said REID tag is configured and adapted to use a send/receive radio frequency communication protocol.

16. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 wherein said RFID tag is enveloped, contained or otherwise embodied in a generally heart-shaped trinket or case or other shape or form generally representing or symbolizing the heart or life source of the stuffed animal.

17. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 comprising multiple concealed wireless tag/transponders.

18. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 11 wherein said stored information comprises one or more of the following:

toy name, birthday, owner, points, rank, tasks completed, or places visited.

19. A stuffed animal having an outer skin or covering and an inner stuffing, said stuffed animal containing therein a batteryless read/write wireless tag/transponder configured and adapted to provide storage and retrieval of certain desired information comprising one or more of the following:

animal'"'"'s name, birthday, owner, points, rank, tasks completed, or places visited; and

wherein said concealed tag/transponder is adapted to send and receive said information wirelessly through said outer skin or covering without damaging said skin or covering and without requiring removal of said tag/transponder.

20. The children'"'"'s toy of claim 19 wherein said tag/transponder is enveloped, contained or otherwise embodied in a generally heart-shaped trinket or case or other shape or form generally representing or symbolizing the heart or life source of the stuffed animal.