GB2524994A

GB2524994A - A device in the form of a toy and an associated system

Info

Publication number: GB2524994A
Application number: GB1406347.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Lord; Ruth Amos
Original assignee: Drols Ltd
Current assignee: Drols Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-08
Filing date: 2014-04-08
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Also published as: GB201406347D0

Abstract

A device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a first communication module 4 configured to output communication signal having a first range; a second communication module 5 configured to output a communication signal having a second range, the second range being greater than the first range; and a control module configured to store one or more identifiers or parts thereof received from one or more other devices via the first and second communication modules, wherein one or more identifiers or parts thereof received via the first communication module are stored in a whitelist.

Description

Title: A device in the form of a toy and an associated system Descriøtion of Invention Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and associated systems and methods. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an interactive toy.

Interactive toys are becoming increasing popular. The reduction in the cost of computer processors and sensors has facilitated the development of more complex interactive toys.

One such example toy is a Furby (RTM) produced by Hasbro, Inc., which comprises a toy which is configured to communicate with another similar or identical toy through an infrared communication channel. Communications over the infrared communication channel are limited to just a few simple messages which may be, for example, encoded using a 16-bit binary digital signal. These messages allow a degree of interaction between the two toys.

A recently developed version of the Furby (RTM) includes a microphone which is configured to receive high frequency sound signals from another device.

The high frequency sound signals may include encoded information which is received and interpreted by the Furby (RTM).

Such toys commonly need to be close to each other in order to facilitate communication.

There is a need to provide more advanced interactions between devices such as toys. There is also a need to counterbalance these advances with security and access controls to reduce the risk of undesired interactions between such devices and their users.

Embodiments of the invention seek to ameliorate one or more problems

associated with the prior art.

An aspect of the present invention provides a device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a first communication module configured to output communication signal having a first range; a second communication module configured to output a communication signal having a second range, the second range being greater than the first range; and a control module configured to store one or more identifiers or parts thereof received from one or more other devices via the first and second communication modules, wherein one or more identifiers or parts thereof received via the first communication module are stored in a whitelist.

The communication signal configured to be output by the first communication module may be a periodic beacon signal.

The communication signal configured to be output by the second communication module may be a periodic beacon signal.

The first communication module may be an infra-red communication module.

The second communication module may be a radio-frequency communication module.

The device may further comprise a data communication module configured to output one or more identifiers or parts thereof received by the first or second communication module.

The data communication module may be further configured to receive one or more identifiers or parts thereof and the control module is further configured to store the one or more identifier or parts thereof received from the data communication module.

The first or second communication module may be further configured to receive or transmit a conversation identifier associated with a scripted conversation.

The first or second communication module may be further configured to receive an indicator of conversation progress.

The device may include an output module configured to make an output dependent on the indicator of conversation progress and the scripted conversation.

Another aspect provides a device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a communication module configured to output or receive a conversation identifier; an output module; and a control module configured to generate one or more signals to control the output module in accordance with a scripted conversation associated with the conversation identifier, wherein one or more conversation indicators are configured to be output or received by the communication module to indicate progression through the scripted conversation.

The output module may include an audio output module.

The output module may include a visual output module.

The output module may include a mechanical output module.

The device may further comprise a data communication module configured to receive one or more updated scripted conversations.

Another aspect provides a system including: a device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a communication module configured to receive an identifier or part thereof from another device; and a control module configured to store the identifier or part thereof; and a communication system having a chat facility, the communication system including a client computing device configured to receive the identifier or part thereof from the device and to establish a communication link with a client computing device associated with the identifier or part thereof.

The client computing device may be associated with the device in the form of a toy.

The communication link may be over a computer network which includes the internet.

The system may further include a guardian computing device, wherein one or more acts on the client computing device trigger the transmission of a message to the guardian computing device.

The guardian computing device may be configured to authorise or inhibit the one or more acts on the client computing device in response to the message.

The one or more acts may include a manual entry of an identifier or part thereof into the chat facility and/or the control module.

The one or more acts may include use of the chat facility in relation to an identifier or part thereof not stored in the control module.

The system may include a device as described above.

Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device and associated peripherals according to some embodiments; Figure 2 shows to devices according to some embodiments which are relatively close together; Figure 3 shows to devices according to some embodiments which are relatively far apart; and Figure 4 shows a communication system according to some embodiments.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a device 1 which may be a toy. Various components and functions of devices 1 embodying the invention are described herein. As will be appreciated, however, these components may be housed in various different housings or bodies 2 such that the toy may take a number of different forms.

The device 1 includes a control module 3. The control module 3 may comprise a processing unit 31 and a memory unit 32 which is communicatively coupled to the processing unit 31. The control module 3 is configured to control the operation of one or more other components of the device 1.

The device 1 further includes a first communication module 4 which is communicatively coupled to the control module 3. The device 1 may further include a second communication module 5 which is communicatively coupled to the control module 3.

In some embodiments, the first communication module 4 is a short range communication module which is configured for short range communication with another device (which may be a device which is similar or identical to the device 1). The first communication module 4 may be, in some embodiments, an infrared communication module which is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range (e.g. frequencies in the range of approximately 430 THz to approximately 300 GHz). In some embodiments, the first communication module 4 may be a short range radio frequency communication module which is configured to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals in microwave frequency range -for example, in the frequency range of approximately 2400 MHz to approximately 2480 MHz.

Such short range radio frequency communications may be in accordance with a protocol such as the Bluetooth protocol (or a protocol in the Bluetooth family of protocols). The short range radio frequency communication module may be configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals of approximately 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 GHz, and/or 5 GHz. Such short range radio frequency communications may be in accordance with a protocol such as the Wifi protocol (or a protocol in the Wifi family of protocols).

In some embodiments, the first communication module 4 is a visible light communication module which is coupled to a visual output unit 61 which may be a visual output unit 61 of an output module 6. The first communication module 4 may, in some embodiments, include the visual output module 61 or the visual output module 61 may be a separate component of the device 1.

The first communication module 4 may further include an input module 9 with a visual input unit 91 which is configured to receive a signal output by a visual light communication module of another device (which may be another device 1 of similar or identical form). The input module 9 may be part of the first communication module 4 or may be a separate unit which is coupled to the first communication module 4.

The first communication module 4 may be, in some embodiments, configured to receive and transmit digitally encoded signals (either directly itself or using a module coupled thereto).

The first communication module 4 may be configured to transmit a signal which is receivable by a first communication module 4 of another device 1 within approximately 10 meters, within approximately 5 meters, within approximately 2 meters, within approximately 1 meter, or within approximately 0.5 meters. In some embodiments, the signal is not receivable by the first communication module 4 of the other device 1 beyond approximately 10 meters, beyond approximately 5 meters, beyond approximately 2 meters, beyond approximately 1 meter, or beyond approximately 0.5 meters. The desired range may be determined by controlling an output power of the first communication module 4 (or other module coupled thereto).

In some embodiments, the second communication module 5 is a long range communication module which is configured for long range communication with another device (which may be a device which is similar or identical to the device 1). The second communication module 5 may be configured to communicate with another device 1 over a longer distance than is possible using the first communication module 4. The range of the second communication module 5 may be determined by controlling an output power of the second communication module 5 (or other module coupled thereto).

This is depicted in figures 2 and S -figure 2 shows communication over a short distance using the first communication modules 4 of two devices 1, and figure 3 shows communication over a longer distance using the second communication modules 5 of two devices 1 (with the two devices 1 being out of range in relation to the first communication modules 4).

In some embodiments, the second communication module 5 may be a radio frequency communication module which is configured to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals in microwave frequency range -for example, in the frequency range of approximately 2400 MHz to approximately 2480 MHz.

Such radio frequency communications may be in accordance with a protocol such as the Bluetooth protocol (or a protocol in the Bluetooth family of protocols). The radio frequency communication module may be configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals of approximately 2.4 0Hz (which may encompass the whole or part of the range 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz), 3.6 0Hz, 4.9 0Hz, and/or 5 0Hz. Such radio frequency communications may be in accordance with a protocol such as the Wifi protocol (or a protocol in the Wifi family of protocols).

The second communication module 5 may be, in some embodiments, configured to receive and transmit digitally encoded signals (either directly itself or using a module coupled thereto).

The second communication module 4 may be configured to transmit a signal which is receivable by a second communication module 4 of another device 1 more than approximately 10 meters away, more than approximately 5 meters away, more than approximately 2 meters away, more than approximately 1 meter away, or more than approximately 0.5 meters away.

In some embodiments, the first communication module 4 requires a line-of-sight between the device 1 and another device with which the device 1 is communicating (a device which may be substantially identical or similar to the device 1) which is substantially free from obstruction. The line-of-sight may be between the first communication module 4 of the device 1 and a corresponding communication module of the other device. In some embodiments, no such line-of-sight is required for communication between the device 1 and another device using the second communication module 5 of the device 1.

The device 1 may further include the output module 6 which is also communicatively coupled to the control module 3. The output module 6 may take a number of different forms. In some embodiments, the output module 6 may include a visual output unit 61, and/or an audio output unit 62, and/or a mechanical output unit 63.

The visual output unit 61 may comprise a liquid crystal display 61a (LCD) which is configured to display an image. The visual output unit 61 may comprise a light emitting diode 61 b (LED) and may, in some embodiments, include a plurality of LEDs 61b. The plurality of LEDs 61b may each be independently operable so that a symbol is displayable by controlling the illumination of each of the plurality of LEDs 61b. Accordingly, the plurality of LEDs 61b may be arranged in a matrix, for example. The operation of the visual output unit 61 may be controlled by a signal received from the control module 3 or by a signal received from the first or second communication module 4,5 (if applicable). The visual output unit 61 may be associated with one or more eyes of a device 1 in the form of a doll or soft-toy such that light emitted by the visual output unit 61 appears to be emitted by the one or more eyes.

The audio output unit 62 may comprise a speaker 62a which is configured to output sound which is audible in the vicinity of the device 1. The output sound may vary in frequency and/or amplitude in accordance with a signal received from the control module 3 or the first communication module 4 (if appropriate).

The speaker 62a may be located adjacent a mouth of a device 1 in the form of a doll or soft-toy such that the sound seems to come from the mouth of the device 1.

The mechanical output unit 63 may comprise one or more actuators 63a which are each configured to drive movement of a part of the device 1 and/or any housings and/or bodies 2 secured thereto.

The or each actuator 63a may include a motor. The motor may be a direct current motor (a DC motor) which can be driven in a forwards and a backwards movement. The or each motor may be coupled to a part of the device 1 and/or any housings and/or bodies 2 secured thereto such that the or each motor is configured to move the part of the device 1 and/or housing and/or body 2 with respect to another part of the device 1 or housing and/or body 2. In embodiments, a direction and/or magnitude and/or speed of movement drive by the one or more actuators 63a may vary in accordance with a signal received from the control module 3, or first or second communication module 4,5 (if applicable). For example, the or each actuator 63a may be associated with a limb of device 1 in the form of a doll or soft-toy such that operation of the or each actuator 63a causes movement of the limb.

The device 1 may further include an input module 9 which is also communicatively coupled to the control module 3. The input module 9 may take a number of different forms. In some embodiments, the input module 9 may include the visual input unit 91, and/or an audio input unit 92, and/or a mechanical input unit 93.

The visual input unit 91 may comprise, for example, a light sensitive sensor which may be a light dependent resistor or a camera (which may be a charge coupled device). The visual input unit 91 is configured to receive a visual input and to issue a corresponding signal to the control module 3. The visual input unit 91 may be associated with one or more eyes of a device 1 in the form of a soft-toy or doll.

The audio input unit 92 may comprise, for example, a microphone which is configured to receive audio input and to issue a corresponding signal to the control module 3. The audio input unit 92 may be associated with one or more ears of a device 1 in the form of a soft-toy or doll.

The mechanical input unit 93 may comprise a unit which is configured to sense a movement of one or more parts of the device 1 and/or any housings and/or bodies 2 secured thereto with respect to another or a movement of the device 1 as a whole (e.g. within a gravitational field). As such, the mechanical input unit 93 may include one or more sensors. The or each sensor may include a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, and/or a movement sensor. The mechanical input unit 93 may be configured to sense the magnitude and/or speed and/or direction of the movement of one or more parts of the device 1 and/or any housings and/or bodies 2 secured thereto with respect to another or of the movement of the device 1 as a whole. The mechanical input unit 93 may be configured to issue a corresponding signal to the control module 3.

The mechanical input unit 93 may be associated with a limb of a device 1 in the form of a soft-toy or doll such that movement of the limb results in issuance of a corresponding signal.

The device 1 may also include a power source 7. The power source 7 may include a battery 71 which may be a rechargeable battery. The power source 7 may include a socket 72 through which electrical power is deliverable to other components of the device 1. In embodiments, electrical power is delivered from the power source 7 to the control module 3, from which the electrical power is then distributed to, for example, the first communication module 4, the second communication module 5, the input module 9, and/or the output module 6. Accordingly, the device 1 may include a power distribution system 73 which may be part of the power source 7 in some embodiments.

The power distribution system 73 includes a plurality of the electrical conductors which are each configured to conduct electrical power to one or more components of the device 1 (these connections are not depicted).

In embodiments, the power supply 7 and/or the power distribution system 73 includes a regulator which is configured to help to protect one or more components of the device 1 from, for example, voltage spikes in the electrical power provided by the power supply 7.

The socket 72 may be configured to receive electrical power and/or act as a data communication port. As such, the socket 72 may include a plurality of conductors which are configured to be communicatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of conductors of a plug 74. The plug 74 may be attached to a cable 75 which is configured to be coupled to another device -which may be another similar or identical device 1 or may be a computing device 8. The socket 72 may, therefore, be communicatively coupled to a data communication module 10 of the control module 3 to facilitate the communication of a data signal from the socket 72 to the control module 3 and a communication signal from the control module 3 to the socket 72.

The socket and plug 72,74 may take the form of a standard Universal Serial Bus socket and plug -which may be a micro-, mini-, standard-A, or standard-B type socket and plug.

In some embodiments, a separate socket and plug are used for data communication between the data communication module 10 of the control module 3 and the computing device 8 (i.e. a socket which does not form part of the power supply 7). In some embodiments, the data communication module 10 is a wireless data communication module. In some embodiments, the data communication module 10 is communicatively coupled to the second communication module 5 and uses the second communication module 5 to communicate with the computing device 8.

The power supply 7 may further include a switch or button 76 which is configured to turn-on and -off the device 1. The switch or button 76 may be configured to disconnect the power supply 7 from one or more other components of the device 1 (such as the control module 3). The switch or button 76 may form part of or may be coupled to the power distribution system 73 (and, in some embodiments, the regulator thereof). In some embodiments the switch or button 76 is communicatively coupled to the control module 3 such that actuation of the switch or button 76 causes the control module 3 to activate a power-down or power-up routine -which may include the termination and/or activation of one or more processes of the control module 3.

The memory unit 32 is configured to store data which is accessible by the processing unit 31 of the control module 3.

The memory unit 32 may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, the memory unit 32 includes a plurality of memory sub-units.

Each memory sub-unit may be used for a different purpose and may be a different type and/or size of memory.

The memory unit 32 (or a sub-unit thereof) may store an identifier for the device 1. This identifier may include a model identifier which indicates a model of the device 1, a version identifier which indicates a version of a model of the device 1, a country identifier which indicates the country of origin of the device 1, a language identifier which indicates a language (or languages) used by the owner, an owner identifier which indicates the owner of the device 1, and/or a unique or substantially unique device identifier (herein, the device identifier'). The device identifier may be intended to allow the identification of the specific device 1 and may, therefore, be allocated for the life of the device 1. The version identifier, country identifier, language identifier, and owner identifier may be intended to be updated or altered periodically.

The country identifier may be an identifier for a geographical region which is not a country. This geographical region may be smaller than a country (e.g. a county or state) or larger than a country (e.g. a continent). This identifier will be referred to as a country identifier herein but this will be understood as encompassing a more general geographical region identifier.

The identifier or parts thereof (e.g. the device identifier) may be stored on non-volatile memory of the memory unit 32. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory.

The memory unit 32 may also store an operating program for the device 1.

The operating program 1 may include instructions which, when run by the processing unit 31 cause the control module 3 to interact with other components of the device 1 -e.g. to receive input data from the input module 9 and/or to send data to the output module 6 (and/or the first and second communication modules 4,5, the power source 7, and/or the computing device 8).

The functions and operations of the device 1 are described herein. It will be appreciated that aspects of these functions are implemented through the operating program stored on the memory unit 32. It will also be appreciated that certain functions and operations do not require all of the aforementioned components of the device 1. As such, embodiments of the device 1 may not include any unnecessary components.

The second communication module 5 may be configured to transmit a beacon dataset periodically such that the beacon dataset is receivable by a second communication module 5 of another such device (which may be a device 1 of similar or identical form). The other device' will be referred to as the second device. This beacon dataset may comprise the identifier or a part thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the beacon dataset includes a model identifier, version identifier, country identifier, language identifier, and/or a device identifier.

The second communication module S may be configured to receive a beacon dataset which is transmitted by the second device. The second communication module 5 may be configured, therefore, to interleave the transmission of its beacon dataset with a listening period -in which it does not transmit its own beacon dataset.

In some embodiments, the second communication module 5 (under the control of the control module 3 or otherwise) may vary the length of listening period substantially randomly or may select the length of any listening period for a predefined set of listening periods wherein the selection is substantially randomly. On receipt of a beacon dataset or part of a beacon dataset during a listening period, the second communication module 5 may extend the listening period in order to receive the complete beacon dataset or a plurality of such complete datasets. The use or selection of a substantially random listening period may reduce the risk of beacon dataset signals sent from two devices 1 being substantially syncbronised over several transmissions of the respective beacon datasets such that the beacon signals collide and interfere.

As will be appreciated, other systems to avoid signal collision may be implemented in addition to or instead of the above system. For example, the second communication module 3 may be configured to transmit the beacon dataset on one of a plurality of available communication channels (the second device may be configured to transmit its beacon dataset on another of the plurality of available communication channels). The second communication module 3 may be configured to monitor all of the available communication channels for received beacon datasets. Thus, there is a reduced chance of two proximal devices 1 transmitting their respective beacon datasets on the same communication channel at the same time. In other embodiments, the second communication module 3 is configured to hop between communication channels such that a first beacon dataset is transmitted on a first of the available communication channels and a second beacon dataset (identical or substantially identical in content to the first beacon dataset) is transmitted on a second of the available communication channels, and so on.

On receipt of a complete beacon dataset at the device 1 (the beacon dataset having been transmitted by the second device), the second communication module 5 -under the control of the control module 3 or otherwise -may wait for a second complete beacon dataset to be received from the second device in order to verify the received beacon dataset.

The beacon dataset from the second device may be sent by the second communication module 5, via the communicative coupling, to the control module 3. The control module 3 may store the beacon dataset or a part thereof in the memory unit 32. The beacon dataset from the second device may be stored with other information such as a time and date information (the time and date being determined, in some embodiments, by the control module 3 which may include an internal clock).

The device 1 may, on receipt and/or verification of the beacon dataset from the second device, perform a handshaking operation with the second device. For example, the device 1 may transmit, through the second communication module 5, a first handshaking signal and may be configured to receive a first handshaking signal from the second device. These first handshaking signals may include further information about the device 1 and second device respectively. The further information may include the identifier or any part of the identifier for the device transmitting the first handshaking signal.

In some embodiments, the beacon dataset for the device 1 comprises one or more communication parameters for the handshaking operation. For example, the one or more communication parameters may comprise an indication of a communication channel to be used for the handshaking operation.

As will be appreciated, the beacon dataset may not include the identifier or a part thereof in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the beacon dataset may comprise an indication that the device 1 is willing to communicate with another device (such as the second device). The first handshaking signal may then include the identifier or part thereof. An identifier or part thereof received from the second device and included in the first handshaking signal may be stored in the memory unit 32 generally as described above.

The first handshaking signals are examples of one or more further communication signals which may transmitted and/or received by the device 1 (in addition to the beacon dataset).

The further communication signals sent by the device 1 may include one or more output indication signals which represent one or more respective outputs which have been, are being, or will be made by the output module 6 of the device 1. The one or more transmitted output indication signals, therefore, may provide an indication to the second device of the output by the device 1.

The further communication signals which are received by the device 1 may include one or more output indication signals which represent one or more respective outputs which have been, are being, or will be output by the second device 1. The one or more received output indication signals, therefore, may provide an indication to the device 1 of the output by the second device.

An output indication received by the device 1 may be transmitted via the communicative coupling to the control module 3. The control module 3 may then determine one or more outputs to be made by the output module 6 of the device 1 in reply. An indication of the one or more reply outputs may be transmitted by the device 1, via the second communication module 5, to the second device. In return, the device 1 may receive one or more further output indication signals which represent one or more further respective outputs which have been, are being, or will be output by the second device 1.

There may be several such rounds of communication (each representing an exchange of output indications).

In some embodiments, the output indications are not indications of outputs which have been, are being, or will be made by the device sending the output notification (which may be the device 1 or the second device) but are indications are of the output which is to be made by the receiving device (which would be the other of the device 1 or second device, as the case may be). As such, the output indication may be passed to the control module 3 and the control module 3 may issue a corresponding command to the output module 6 to generate the output.

In some embodiments, the output indications issued by the device 1 are dependent on the received output indications from the second device. Thus, the two devices hold a conversation which may be occurring through the second communication module 5 and a corresponding module of the second device. The conversation is also represented by outputs made by the output module 6 of the device 1 and a corresponding module of the second device.

For example, one output may be the audio output unit 62 generating a sound, word, sentence, or other statement, such as How are you?'. An indication of this output may be sent to the second device which generates an audio output such as "I am well, thank you" and sends output indication which is then received by the device 1. The device 1 may then generate a further output, and so on. Outputs may include use of the visual output unit 61, and/or the audio output unit 62, and/or the mechanical output unit 63.

In some embodiments, the one or more further communications follow a predetermined pattern from a pre-programmed set of communications.

Accordingly, instead of the output indication being an indication of an output which has been, is being, or is to be made by the device 1, the output indication may be an indication that an output has been made. Both the device 1 and second device may have a copy of the scripted conversation (which may be stored in the memory unit 32) available to them and so is able to follow the conversation accordingly. As such, the first handshaking signal and/or one or more further communication signals may include an identifier for the conversation.

The memory unit 32 may, as will be appreciated, store a plurality of scripted conversations which may be in one or a plurality of different languages. One or more further signals transmitted between the device 1 and second device may allow the two devices 1 to track the progress of a scripted conversation and generate the required outputs at the required junctures.

In some embodiments, the further communication signals may include information which is used to establish communication between the device 1 and second device through the first communication module 4. For example, the first handshaking signal may include one or more communication parameters which are used by the first communication module 4 to establish communications with the second device therethrough.

In some embodiments, the first communication module 4 is configured to transmit a beacon dataset which may be the same as or similar to the beacon dataset transmitted by the second communication module 5.

The signals sent from and received by the first communication module 4 may follow the same form as described in relation to the second communication module 5 -in other words, the data represented by the signals may be substantially the same. The protocol and type of signal handled by the first communication module 4 may, of course, differ from that of the second communication moduleS.

The first communication module 4 may communicate any or all received signals to the control module 3 via the communicative coupling between the two modules. As will be appreciated, these signals may include an identifier or part thereof of the second device.

On receipt of an identifier or part thereof from the first communication module 4, the control module 3 may store the identifier or a part thereof in the memory module 32. In some embodiments, the identifier or part thereof received through the first communication module 4 is stored separately from any identifier or part thereof which is received through the second communication module 5. In some embodiments, the identifiers or parts thereof received from both communication modules 4,5 are stored together but with an indication as to the communication module 4,5 which received the identifier or part thereof.

The stored identifiers or parts thereof may include one or more whitelisted identifiers or parts thereof. The or each whitelisted identifier or part thereof is, in some embodiments, associated with a trusted device 1. In some embodiments, an identifier or part thereof which is received through the first communication module 4 may be whitelisted automatically. In some embodiments, an identifier or part thereof which is received through the second communication module 5 may not be whitelisted automatically.

In some embodiments, stored identifiers or parts thereof may include one or more greylisted identifiers or parts thereof. The or each greylisted identifier or part thereof is, in some embodiments, associated with a partially trusted device 1. In some embodiments, an identifier or part thereof which is received through the first communication interface 4 may be greylisted automatically. In some embodiments, an identifier or part thereof which is received through the second communication interface may not be greylisted (and/or may not be whitelisted) automatically.

The control module 3 may be configured to communicate the or each identifier or part thereof (including any indication as to the communication module 4,5 from which it was received and/or whether it is whitelisted or greylisted) to the computing device 8 via the data communication module 10.

The data communication module 10 may be configured to receive one or more identifiers or parts thereof (along with a whitelisted or greylisted indication) from the computing device 8. The control module 3 may be configured to reconcile the one or more received identifiers or parts thereof from the data communication module 10 (received from the computing device 8) to update the or each identifier or part thereof as stored in the memory unit 32. For example, a stored identifier or part thereof may be deleted from the memory unit 32 if it is not included in the received identifiers or parts thereof from the data communication module 10; a stored identifier or part thereof may be updated with additional information (e.g. another part of the identifier) received from the data communication module 10; a stored identifier or part thereof may be moved into or out of the whitelist or greylist in accordance with an indication included in the information received from the data communication module 10.

In some embodiments, the computing device 8 is configured to generate and output (e.g. on a screen 1 02a) information about the or each identifier or part thereof. A user may, therefore, be able to use the computing device 8 to move identifiers (or parts thereof) between the greylist and the whitelist, to delete one or more identifiers (or parts thereof), or to manually enter one or more identifiers (or parts thereof). This edited information may then be uploaded to the device 1.

Embodiments of the present invention include an internet based communication system 100.

The communication system includes a server 101 and a plurality of client computing devices 102 which may be computing devices 8. In some embodiments one or more of the client computing devices 102 is communicatively coupled to one or more computing devices 8.

The server 101 is communicatively coupled over one or more wired and/or wireless communication links -which may include communication links with both wired and wireless portions -to the plurality of client computing devices 102 -e.g. via the internet 110 or some other computer network.

The client computing devices 102 are configured to be communicatively coupled to respective devices which are substantially the same as or similar to the device 1. The or each device 1 is operated by an owner of the device 1.

The or each device 1 may be directly connected to the server 101 (i.e. without a client computing device 102 acting as an intermediary). Each client computing device 101 may be associated with more than one device 1.

The server 101 may store thereon a record associated with each device 1, and/or each client computing device 102, and/or each owner. In some embodiments, the server 101 may associate a record for each device 1 with a record for each client computing device 102 and/or with a record for each owner.

The server 101 may prompt the client computing device 102 to provide credentials for the client computing device 102 and/or for the device 1, and/or for the owner. In some embodiments, the credentials are stored on the client computing device 102 and are returned to the server 101 automatically. In some embodiments, the client computing device 102 prompts the owner to provide one or more of the credentials (e.g. a username and/or password) which are then passed to the server 101. The server 101 may verify the credentials with credentials stored in association with the record for that device 1, client computing device 102, and/or owner.

Once verified, the server 101 may provide the client computing device 102 with access to at least some of the information stored in the record.

The server 101 may host a communication program which is accessible by the client computing device 102 (e.g. once the credentials have been verified).

The communication program may include a chat facility which allows the owner to chat with one or more other owners who are also connected to the server 101 via respective client computing devices 102. The chat facility may be text based, may be video based, and/or may be audio based. As such, each client computing device 102 may include a screen 102a, a microphone 102b, a camera 102c, a keyboard 102d (which may be an actual or a virtual keyboard displayed on a touchscreen device, for example), and/or a speaker 102e.

The communication program (and/or chat facility) may include an address book 103 which provides access to a plurality of entries 103a of the record associated with the device 1, client computing device 102 and/or owner. Each entry 1 03a may represent another client computing device 102, device 1, and/or owner.

Each entry 1 03a may include an identifier or part of an identifier for a device 1 (and may include a plurality of such identifiers or parts thereof).

In some embodiments, communication program is configured to obtain the one or more of the entries 103a from the client computing device 102 (which may be the computing device 8 or may be communicatively coupled to the computing device 8). In some embodiments, the communication program is configured to obtain the one or more entries 1 03a from the device 1. The one or more entries 103a may represent identifiers (or parts thereof) which have been received by the device 1 or manually entered by the owner into the client computing device 102. Other information may be included in each entry lOSa (such as whether the identifier or part thereof is whitelisted or grey listed).

In some embodiments, server 101 and/or one or more of the client computing devices 102, hosts the communication program in which the owners of one or more devices 1 may chat to each other through their respective client computing devices 102 -this chat may be via text, audio, and/or video.

Accordingly, the owner of a device 1 may communicate with an owner of the second device.

In embodiments, the chat facility is configured such that an owner of a device 1 is permitted to chat only with an owner of a second device for which the identifier (or part thereof) is stored on the client computing device 102 of the owner of the device 1, the device 1, or the address book 103 associated with the owner of the device 1. In some embodiments, the chat facility is configured to permit only an owner with a whitelisted identifier (or part thereof) to chat with the owner of the device 1. In some embodiments, the chat facility is configured to permit only an owner with a whitelisted or greylisted identifier (or part thereof) to chat with the owner of the device 1.

In some embodiments, the communication system 100 includes one or more guardian computing devices 104. In some embodiments, each client computing device 102 is associated with a guardian computing device 104. As such, each owner of a device 1 may be associated with a guardian (who has access to a respective guardian computing device 104). In some embodiments, one guardian computing device 104 (and, hence, one guardian) is associated with multiple client computing devices 102 (and, hence, multiple owners of devices 1).

In some embodiments, if the client computing device 102 and/or the server 101 is configured send a message to the guardian computing device 104 associated with a particular owner of a device 1 if certain events occur. For example, if an identifier (or part thereof) is manually entered into the client computing device 102, if an identifier (or part thereof) is moved from the greylist to the whitelist, and/or if a user associated with a greylisted or unlisted identifier (or part thereof) attempts to initiate a chat (via the chat facility) with the owner of the device 1.

The message which is sent to the guardian computing device 104 may include an option to permit or prevent (or inhibit) an activity. For example, the guardian may -through the guardian computing device 104 -permit or decline the manual addition of an identifier or a part thereof to a list of identifiers (or parts thereof) stored in the device 1 or client computing device 102. For example, the guardian may -through the guardian computing device 104 -permit or decline the movement of an identifier (or part thereof) between or into the whitelist and greylist. For example, the guardian may -through the guardian computing device 104 -permit or decline the initiation of a chat session between the owner of the device 1 and another user.

The guardian computing device 1 may include an interface which allows the guardian to determine which activities of the owner of the device 1 should result in a message being sent to the guardian computing device 1.

Accordingly, in an example implementation of some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of devices 1 may be owned by a respective plurality of owners. These owners 1 may be children.

Each owner may carry their respective devices 1 around as they travel or move between locations.

Identifiers or parts thereof for the devices 1 may be exchanged via the respective second communication modules 5 of the devices 1 when the devices 1 are within range of each other. The devices 1 may store a record of the identifiers or parts thereof which have been received so that the owners can see information about the other owners and/or devices 1. This information may include statistical information (such as the number of identifiers, the geographical origin of the devices 1, and the like) and this information may be generic such that no individual owner's identifier or identity can be determined (or easily determined).

When in close proximity to another owner's device 1, a device 1 may use the first communication module 4 to transfer information between the devices 1 as discussed above and/or to hold a conversation.

The close proximity required for use of the first communication modules 4 in this manner may, in some embodiments, be associated with a degree of trust.

Accordingly, as discussed above, identifiers or parts thereof which are received via the first communication modules 4 may be whitelisted.

The identifiers or parts thereof communicated between devices 1 via the first communication modules 4 may be sufficient to allow the owners of the devices 1 to initiate a chat via the chat facility (unlike the identifiers or parts thereof received via the second communication modules 5).

A guardian (such as a parent or teacher) may be appointed and associated with a device 1 and/or owner such that certain activities can be moderated and/or controlled by the guardian.

For example, if an owner of a device 1 attempts to initiate a chat (via the chat facility) with a device 1 for which an identifier or part thereof is not whitelisted, then the guardian may be required to approve the initiation of that chat.

Similarly, alterations to the white-and grey-lists may require guardian approval.

As will be appreciated the guardian, therefore, provides a security measure which makes it difficult for unauthorised or undesired contact to be made to the owners of the devices 1.

Updates to the operating program, and/or conversations may be transmitted to the devices 1 when the devices 1 are connected to the client computing devices 102 (and/or computing devices 8). These updates may be pushed onto the devices 1 via the server 101.

Devices 1 in sufficiently close proximity to allow communication between the respective first and/or second communication modules 4,5, may hold a conversation with each other -which may include audio outputs, visual outputs, and/or mechanical outputs. Mechanical outputs may, for example, one or more gestures of a device 1 in the form of a doll or soft-toy.

As will be appreciated, the device 1 may comprise a device 1 in the form of a doll or soft-toy. The device 1 may be humanoid in form. The device 1 may have limbs including arms and legs. The device 1 may include a head including one or more eyes and ears, and a mouth.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims: 1. A device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a first communication module configured to output communication signal having a first range; a second communication module configured to output a communication signal having a second range, the second range being greater than the first range; and a control module configured to store one or more identifiers or parts thereof received from one or more other devices via the first and second communication modules, wherein one or more identifiers or parts thereof received via the first communication module are stored in a whitelist.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the communication signal configured to be output by the first communication module is a periodic beacon signal.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication signal configured to be output by the second communication module is a periodic beacon signal.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first communication module is an infra-red communication module.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second communication module is a radio-frequency communication module.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a data communication module configured to output one or more identifiers or parts thereof received by the first or second communication module.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the data communication module is further configured to receive one or more identifiers or parts thereof and the control module is further configured to store the one or more identifier or parts thereof received from the data communication module.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first or second communication module is further configured to receive or transmit a conversation identifier associated with a scripted conversation.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the first or second communication module is further configured to receive an indicator of conversation progress.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the device includes an output module configured to make an output dependent on the indicator of conversation progress and the scripted conversation.
11. A device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a communication module configured to output or receive a conversation identifier; an output module; and a control module configured to generate one or more signals to control the output module in accordance with a scripted conversation associated with the conversation identifier, wherein one or more conversation indicators are configured to be output or received by the communication module to indicate progression through the scripted conversation.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the output module includes an audio output module.
13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the output module includes a visual output module.
14. A device according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the output module includes a mechanical output module.
15. A device according to any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising a data communication module configured to receive one or more updated scripted conversations.
16. A system including: a device in the form of a toy, the device comprising: a communication module configured to receive an identifier or part thereof from another device; and a control module configured to store the identifier or part thereof; and a communication system having a chat facility, the communication system including a client computing device configured to receive the identifier or part thereof from the device and to establish a communication link with a client computing device associated with the identifier or part thereof.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the client computing device is associated with the device in the form of a toy.
18. A system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the communication link is over a computer network which includes the internet.
19. A system according to any of claims 16 to 18, further including a guardian computing device, wherein one or more acts on the client computing device trigger the transmission of a message to the guardian computing device.
20. A system according to claim 19, wherein the guardian computing device is configured to authorise or inhibit the one or more acts on the client computing device in response to the message.
21. A system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the one or more acts include a manual entry of an identifier or part thereof into the chat facility and/or the control module.
22. A system according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the one or more acts include use of the chat facility in relation to an identifier or part thereof not stored in the control module.
23. A system according to any of claims 16 to 22, wherein the device is a device according to any of claims 1 to 15.
24. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein.