Toy connective recognition arrangement

• US 9,308,466 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2013
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seebo Interactive Limited
• Original Assignee: Seebo International Ltd.
• Inventors: Akavia, Lior, Akavia, Liran, Kleinman, Ido, Weinfield, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Liddle, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US14/406,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20150151212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• 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: A63F 2003/00662 with an electric sensor for playing pieces A63F2009/2444 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• 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 13/02 imitating natural actions, e.g. catching a mouse by a cat, the kicking of an animal
• 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

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel recognition arrangement configured to allow identification of a detachable toy element and its relative position on a play structure so as to enable a further display of a virtual character of said toy element in its relative position on the play structure on a smart device screen displaying an image of said play structure. The recognition arrangement provided herein comprising a TAG component affixed to the detachable toy element and an environmental recognition component (ERC) affixed to the play structure. The identification of a specific detachable toy element and its position on the play structure are obtained upon attachment of the TAG component and the ERC. Attachment of the TAG component and the ERC is detected by periodic scanning of a control unit connected to the play structure for changes of voltage or current values. Upon detection of such a change, the sampled value is delivered to the smart device for further interpretation and display.

Claims

1. A recognition arrangement configured to allow identification of a detachable toy element and its relative position on a play structure so as to enable a further display of a virtual character of said toy element in its relative position on the play structure on a smart device screen displaying an illustration of said play structure, said arrangement comprises a TAG component affixed to said toy element and an environmental recognition component (ERC) affixed to said play structure, wherein said TAG component comprises:

a. a nonconductive housing containing two conductive elements made of two PCB pad rings separated from each other via an insulating ring;

b. a magnet or a magnetizable material configured for stable attachment of said TAG to said ERC; and

c. a resistor, the value of which corresponds to identification of a unique detachable toy element,

and wherein said ERC comprises at least;

a. a nonconductive housing configured to match the TAG housing so as to allow mechanical connection between them;

b. two conductive elements configured to contact with the two PCB pads of the tag; and

c. a magnet or a magnetizable material configured for stable attachment of the ERC to the TAG;

wherein identification of said detachable toy element and its position on said play structure are obtained upon attachment of said TAG component and said ERC.

2. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein attachment of said TAG component and said ERC affixed to said play structure is detected by periodic scanning of a control unit connected to said play structure for changes of voltage or current values, and wherein upon detection of such a change, the sampled value is delivered to said smart device for further interpretation and display.

3. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resistor is a 1-wire memory and wherein a third conductive element is connected to the ground.

4. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said two conductive elements are metal pins.

5. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said ERC further comprises at least two holes configured to allow pass way of electric wires from the ERC to a control unit so as to deliver a signal created upon attachment of a TAG to said ERC.

6. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each ERC positioned on said toy structure is connected to said control unit via one communication line of said control unit.

7. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein two or more ERCs positioned on said toy structure are connected to said control unit via one communication line of said control unit.

8. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said detachable toy element comprises a TAG and at least one ERC and it is configured to be cascaded with at least one additional detachable toy element.

9. A recognition arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said TAG comprises an active component.

10. A recognition arrangement configured to allow identification of a detachable toy element and its relative position on a play structure so as to enable a further display of a virtual character of said toy element in its relative position on the play structure on a smart device screen displaying an illustration of said play structure, said arrangement comprising a TAG component affixed to said toy element, an environmental recognition component (ERC) affixed to said play structure, and a control unit, wherein identification of said detachable toy element and its position on said play structure are obtained upon attachment of said TAG component and said ERC by periodic scanning of said control unit for changes of voltage or current values, and wherein upon detection of such a change, the sampled value is delivered to said smart device for further interpretation and display, wherein said TAG comprises a non-conductive housing, two PCB pad rings separated from one another by an insulating ring, a resistor and a metal ERC comprises a nonconductive housing, two conductive elements configured to attach said PCB pad rings of the TAG, and a magnet, and wherein, upon attachment of the TAG and the ERC an electric circuit is closed and a resistance value correlative to the resistor of said TAG is delivered to said control unit.

11. A recognition arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the communication between the TAG, the ERC and the control unit is either an analog communication or a digital communication.

12. A recognition arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the resistor is a 1-wire memory.