Figurines having interactive communication

• US 7,252,572 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stupid Fun Club LLC (Electronic Arts Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stupid Fun Club LLC (Electronic Arts Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wright, Will, Winter, Michael, Sibigtroth, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US10/843,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446/484, 446/302, 446/297, 446/298, 446/303, 446/485, 446/397, 463/1, 463/42, 463/43
• US Class Current: 446/484
• 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

The invention provides a method for figurines to form and join a network of figurines by setting them near other figurines, by activating them via a power switch, or by placing them in communication with a central hub. A communications path using radio or IR frequency is used to form the network, such that only one figurine can transmit data while the others receive data at any time. Once the network has been formed, the figurines can formulate behaviors based on the attributes, requests, and actions of the others. These behaviors are based on the data transpired between the figurines and can include meaning of spoken words, current state, etc. Each figurine has a personality controlled by its internal data, which also controls its relationships with others. Each figurine can spontaneously create a speech or action based on the reply given by another coupled with data stored within its databank.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first figurine having a processor;

a speech generator coupled to the processor, wherein the speech generator comprises a speech scorer for assigning a score to each of a plurality of possible speeches;

a detector coupled to the processor for detecting a second figurine;

a memory coupled to the processor for storing dynamically changeable personality traits of the first figurine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first figurine initiates speech when the presence of the second figurine is detected.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a speech selector for selecting one of the plurality of possible speeches based on its score.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the score of the plurality of possible speeches is dependent on personality traits stored in the first figurine.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the score of the plurality of possible speeches is dependent on personality traits stored in the second figurine.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the score of the plurality of possible speeches is dependent on personality traits stored in the first and second figurines.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the personality traits of the first figurine are changed based on communication with the second figurine.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a first figurine having a processor;

a speech generator coupled to the processor wherein the speech generator comprises a text to speech generator;

a detector coupled to the processor for detecting a second figurine;

a memory coupled to the processor for storing dynamically changeable personality traits of the first figurine.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a first figurine having a processor and wherein the first figurine further includes an action scorer;

a speech generator coupled to the processor;

a detector coupled to the processor for detecting a second figurine;

a memory coupled to the processor for storing dynamically changeable personality traits of the first figurine.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a first figurine having a processor;

a speech generator coupled to the processor;

a detector coupled to the processor for detecting a second figurine;

a memory coupled to the processor for storing dynamically changeable personality traits of the first figurine and further including a vocabulary stored in the memory wherein vocabulary entries are added by communication between the first and second figurines.