Interactive play station

• US 9,072,973 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2013
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc. (Build-A-Bear Workshop Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Build-A-Bear Workshop Incorporated
• Inventors: Elliott, Brandon
• Primary Examiner(s): Liddle, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US13/792,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20130324241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 849 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 463 30- 34
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/00 Remote-control arrangements specially adapted for toys, e.g. for toy vehicles steering mechanisms for toy vehicles A63H17/36; for model railways A63H19/24, A63H19/28

Abstract

An interactive play station designed to provide for play which utilizes digitally generated content, mechanical or other physical objects, and digital control to simulate a physical environment which physical objects can appear to interact with. In this regard, the play station is a mixed reality or augmented environment that comprises both real and virtual elements.

Claims

1. An interactive play station comprising:

a display, said display including;

a screen for displaying a digitally generated image; and

a read device, said read device being capable of detecting an object positioned in proximity to said display;

a housing for said display; and

a toy;

wherein, when said toy is placed in proximity to said screen, said read device detects the presence of said toy;

wherein, once said toy is detected, said toy is identified as a particular type of toy;

wherein, once said type is identified, said display causes said screen to display digital content interactive with said toy; and

wherein said housing is designed to resemble a shower/bath and said content appears to be a water surface in said bath.

2. The interactive play station of claim 1, further comprising an air blower, said air blower appearing to be a shower head.

3. The interactive play station of claim 2, wherein when said air blower blows air onto said screen, said content changes to show water from said shower head impacting said water surface.

4. An interactive play station comprising:

a housing designed to resemble a bathtub;

a display said display including;

a screen for displaying a digitally generated image; and

a read device, said read device being capable of detecting an object positioned in proximity to said display;

wherein said display is positioned in said housing so that said screen is at a potential water surface in said bathtub;

an air blower designed to resemble a shower head; and

a plush toy incapable of digital communication with said screen;

wherein, when said plush toy is placed on said screen, said read device detects the presence of said plush toy;

wherein, once said plush toy is detected said air blower is activated; and

wherein a combination of said air blown by said air blower and content on said screen, said plush toy appears to be washed.