Print-level sensing for interactive play with a printed image

• US 9,039,483 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2012
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Hernandez, Teddi Norman, Dawbarn, John Nathan, Krivanek, Douglas Lee, Turner, Terrence Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): HARPER, TRAMAR YONG
• Application Number:
  US13/540,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20140002831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 446/268
• US Class Current: 446/268
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00652 Light-emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2445 detecting reflected light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00006 Board games played along a linear track, e.g. game of goose, snakes and ladders, along an endless track A63F3/00028 - A63F3/00157, A63F3/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00643 Electric board games; Electric features of board games electric word or number games A63F3/0421; computer chess G06F; electric raffle games A63F3/081
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• 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: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus are provided for interactively playing with a printed image. A printed image resembling a game board, book, or picture, is provided. The printed image includes a registration area and a plurality of feedback areas in which an indicator color is printed at a predetermined level, e.g. percentage of area. A figurine is provided that includes a light source and light sensor. The light source and light sensor are placed in proximity to the designated areas in the image to sense the level of the indicator color printed therein and an associated output is provided. The registration area is useable to identify a predefined template associated with the image to allow feedback of the figurine with a plurality of different printed images. The figurine can include an ultraviolet light source to activate graphics printed in the image with photochromic ink.

Claims

1. A system for interactive play with a printed image, the system comprising:

a printed image having a registration area and a plurality of feedback areas defined therein, the registration area and each of the plurality of feedback areas having an indicator color printed therein at a respective level;

a figurine that is positionable on the printed image at desired location, the desired location including one of the registration area, one of the plurality of feedback areas, or an area of the image that is not the registration area or one of the plurality of feedback areas;

a light source disposed in the figurine that reveals the indicator color at the desired location;

a light sensor disposed in the figurine that senses the level of the indicator color revealed by the light source at the desired location;

an output component that provides a predetermined output associated with the level of the indicator color at the desired location; and

a controller disposed in the figurine that identifies a predefined template associated with the level of the indicator color printed in the registration area and determines an output to be provided for each of the plurality of feedback areas based on the template.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the registration area includes a plurality of sections, each section including the same or different level of the indicator color, and the levels of the indicator color in the plurality of sections are used to identify the predefined template.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the printed image is one of a plurality of printed images, each of the printed images having a different registration area that is useable to identify a different predefined template.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the level of the indicator color is a percentage of the area covered by the indicator color in the registration area and each of the plurality of feedback areas.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of indicator colors are used, and wherein a plurality of corresponding light sources, each configured to reveal a respective one of the plurality of indicator colors are disposed in the figurine.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the output is one or more of an audio output, a visual output, and a tactile output.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the printed image includes a graphic printed in a photochromic ink that, in an equilibrium state, is substantially not visible to a reader, and wherein the figurine includes an activating-light source which activates the photochromic ink to cause the photochromic ink to change color and temporarily reveal the graphic.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the printed image is one or more of a game board, a poster, pages in a book, a greeting card, a foldable play mat, a story board, and an instructional image.

9. A method for interactive play with a printed image, the method comprising:

providing a printed image having a registration area and a plurality of feedback areas, the registration area and each of the plurality of feedback areas having an indicator color printed therein at a respective level;

providing a figurine that includes a light source configured to illuminate the indicator color and a sensor configured to sense the level of the indicator color illuminated by the light source;

sensing by the sensor in the figurine a first level of the indicator color in the registration area of the printed image;

identifying, by a controller disposed in the figurine, a predefined template associated with the printed image based on the level of the indicator color printed in the registration area, the predefined template including one or more predetermined outputs associated with the level of the indicator color printed in each of the plurality of feedback areas;

sensing, by the sensor in the figurine, a second level of the indicator color printed in a first feedback area of the plurality of feedback areas;

determining, by the controller, a first predetermined output of the one or more predetermined outputs associated with the second level of the indicator color; and

providing the first predetermined output.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

exposing a graphic in the printed image to an activating-light source disposed in the figurine, the graphic being printed in the printed image in a photochromic ink; and

producing a temporary view of the graphic in the printed image, the temporary view of the graphic produced by activation of the photochromic ink via the activating-light source causing the photochromic ink to change color.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a second predetermined output associated with an environment depicted in the printed image is provided upon identification of the predefined template.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first predetermined output produced by the figurine is one or more of an audio output, a visual output, or a tactile output that is associated with one or more of the printed image and the first feedback area.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the registration area includes a plurality of sections, each section of the plurality having the indicator color printed therein at a respective level.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein sensing by the sensor in the figurine the first level of the indicator color in the registration area of the printed image further comprises:

sensing the respective levels of the indicator color in each of the plurality of sections of the registration area in a predetermined order.

15. An apparatus for interactive play with a printed image, the apparatus comprising:

a body configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to a surface having an image printed thereon, the image including a registration area and a plurality of feedback areas, the registration area and the plurality of feedback areas each having a respective level of an indicator color printed therein;

a light source disposed in the body that exposes the surface to light emitted by the light source, the light source being configured to illuminate the indicator color;

a light sensor disposed in the body that receives light from the light source that is reflected off the surface;

a controller disposed in the body that determines the level of the indicator color sensed by the sensor and identifies a predefined template associated with the image based on the level of the indicator color sensed in the registration area, the template including one or more predetermined outputs associated with each of the respective levels of the indicator color, and the controller identifying a first output from the one or more predetermined outputs to be provided upon determining the respective level of the indicator color in an associated feedback area in the image; and

an output component that provides the first output, the first output being one or more of an audio output, visual output, and a tactile output.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

an ultraviolet-light source disposed in the body that at least temporarily activates photochromic ink printed on the surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the body resembles a toy vehicle and the light source and light sensor are disposed along the bottom side of the toy vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the body resembles an animal-like or humanoid figure and the light source and light sensor are disposed within an appendage thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light source and light sensor are enclosed within a shroud that reduces interference from environmental light.