GB2530752A

GB2530752A - Interactive objects

Info

Publication number: GB2530752A
Application number: GB1417278.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Ying Sen Wee; Christopher Ian Byatte
Original assignee: THINGS3D Ltd
Current assignee: THINGS3D Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2016-04-06
Also published as: GB201417278D0

Abstract

An interactive object 11 comprises message handling functionality including message delivery functionally appropriate to the nature of the object. The object may be made using a 3D printing process. The object may operate in conjunction with a smartphone 14 or the like loaded with an app, in which communication can be performed using near file communication, a cellular network or machine readable code. The messages may be displayed on the object itself or projected to an external surface. The messages may be adverts and can be presented in the form of an offerwall in which multiple adverts are displayed.

Description

Tnteractive Objects This invention relates to interactive objects.

3D prinUng has tacihtated the production of objects of varying degrees of complexity and interest.

with the possibty or many cUtferent functionalities through ntegraUon of mechanicEfl and electronic effectors. Some 3D printed objects are made of high value materials to high standards of design and workmanship and are r gamed as oLets de vertu. By assigning functionality to them. they become more than mere passive ornaments, and, on account of their aesthetic and, often, monetary worth, they can imbue added value into functions they perform. Like Renee Fleming performing Strauss's Four Last Songs.

IS The present invention provides objects with certain functionalities to imbue added value to social and promotional intercourse, and t is particularly, though not exclusively, of interest in connection with 3D printed obJets de vertu.

The invention comprises an interactive object comprising message-handling functionality including message delivery fUnctionality appropriate to the nature of the object.

The object may comprise a 3D printed object. The functionality may be incorporated during the 3D printing process.

The lunctionahty may be adapted to operate in conjunction with a smartphone or tablet or other platform loaded with an app. Functionahty may be shared between the object and the platform.

so that the object and the platform need to be in communication for the functionality to be effective. Communication rry be by a near field communication system, requiring the obiect and the platform to be close together, or via a ceHular network. the object having ts own SIM card, for

example.

The part of the message-handling functionality vested in the object may be nothing more than a machine-readable code. which may in turn comonse the objects ID label. In this arrangement, it is not necessary for the object and the platform to be in contact after the first contact when the platform reads the code, which action then unlocks in the platform functionality specitlcto the obiect.

The message delivery functionality may deliver visual messages and/or audio messages. which may include spoken messages.

Messages may be displayed on or in the object itself, as on a visual display unit incorporated in the object. Messages may be optically projected from within the o.ect on to a surface edernal to the object. Or messages may be routed via the object by a near field communication system such as WIFi. Bluetooth® or Zighee® to a visual display unit e.g. of a smartphone, tablet or television screen.

Messages may be promotional messages, which may he given added value simply by emanating from the object or by including an object-specific reterence. as, for instance, by being uttered in a particular voice associated with the object or being prefaced by an utterance associated with the SO object, or being accompanied by other sounds such as music.

The messages may be presented in the form of an otterwall', in which muitiple advertisements can he displayed, perhaps as thumhnaiis that can he expanded by a mouse click or touch screen function. or as a' lide show or video.

The deDvery functionaty may be mediated by a srnartphone or tablet app or like software, which may he inherently or by adaptation specific to the object. A universal' app may he adapted by incorporation of an object-specific program module, which may mediate the selection of message content arid message devery style. both of which may also be influenced by time of day, time of year, weather, location and other factors.

The object may have a unique ID which may be encoded in or on the object arid registered ri a database. Transactions invoMng the object. such as buying and sefling, renting, changing a value, which mht he a monetary value, can he recorded in memory in or associated with the object and/or The database, such recording serving also to confirm the ID.

The object may mediate transactions initiated by the owner or user of the object prompted by messages. particularly advertising or promotional messages, and may facHitate a coupon, loyalty points or discount service associated with the object. I5

A 3D printed object comprising messaging functionality according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawngs, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an interactive object with associated equipment; arid Figure 2 iuustrates an offerwall display.

The drawings illustrate an interactive object 11 comprising messagehandling functionality comprLsed in an electronic module 12 and/or an iD abel 11 b. including message delivery functionaUty appropriate to the nature of the object 11.

As illustrated, the object 11 is simply an ovoid on a stand. Objects with which this invention will be principally concerned, however will have a nature imbued with some significance, such, for empie, as a bust of a sports personality, or a rock star, endorsing products, or an automobile, or a 3D version of a manufacturer's or service provider's logo. Functionality appropriate to such would, for emrnole. comprise, pushing forward advertisements and promotions of endorsed products, or of automobiles, accessories and services connected with the automobile manufacturer or trader, and discounted or premium offers of products or services associated with the logo.

The object 11 comprises a 3D printed object, built up from layers I Ia. The functionality is incorporated by incorporating the electronic module 12 during the 3D printing process.

The object 11 can have a unique 0 which can be encoded in a label 11 b in or on the object and registered in a database. Transactions involving the object 11, such as buying and selhng, renting, or changing a value, which might be a monetary value, can be recorded in memory in or associated with the object and/or the database, such recording serving also to confirm the ID The functionality is adapted to operate in cor,unction with a platform -one or other or both of a smarlphone 14 and a tablet 15 loaded with an app. Functionality a shared between the object and the platform 14/15, so that the object and the platform need to be in comniuncation for the functionality to be effective. The srrrartphone 14 will be in contact with a cellular network or the internet 14a through its SIM card or through W-Fi, as, indeed, can the tablet 15.

Available communication with smartphones and tablets is a near field communication system such as Bluetooth®. requiring the object and the platform to be close together, or via a cellular network. the electronic module 12 having its own SIM card, for ecmpie, sothatihe platform may be remote from the object Ii.

The part of the message-handling functionality vested in the object ii, however, may he nothing more than a machine-readable code, which may in turn comprise the object's ID label 11 b. In this arrangement, it is not necessary for the object 11 and the platform 14/IS to be in contact after the first contact when the platform 14/15 reads the code, which action then unlocks in the platfOrm functionaftty specific to the object.

The message dehvery tuncfionahty dehvers audio-vsual messages including spoken messages.

Figure 1 Mustrates options fOr message deUvery.

Visual messages are displayed on a visual dsplay unEt ii h incorporated in the object 11. hut.

tO could, instead be opticaUy projected from within the object ii on to a surface external to the object 11 Or messages maybe routed via the object 11 by a near field commurncation system such as WH, Bhietooth® or ZigBee®to a visual display untt of the smartphone 14. the tablet 15 or a television screen 16.

IS Messages can be promotional messages, which are given added value simply by emanating, directly or indirectly, from the objector by including an objectspeci[ic reference, as, tor instance, by being uttered in a particular voice associated with the obiect or being prefaced by an utterance associated with the object or being accompanied by other sounds such as music.

The messages can, as illustrated in Figure 2, be presented on any screen, here the televison screen 16, in the form of an otterwall', in which multiple advert sements 16a are displayed, as thumbnails that can be eanded by a mouse click or touch screen t'unction, or as a sUde show or video. Illustrated is a magnifying arranqement adapted to magnify a thumbnail over which a screen pointer hovers, to aid selection from multiple small thumbnails.

The delivery functionality is mediated by the smariphone or tablet app or like software, which. is adapted to work with multiple inherently or by adaptation specific to the object. A universal' app adapted to serve all adapted objects with different natures can be adapted by incorporation or an object-specific program module to mediate the selection of message content and message delivery style, both of which may also be influenced by time of day, time of year, weather, location and other factors..

The object 11 can mediate transactions initiated by the owner or user of the object prompted by messages, particularly advertising or promotional messages, and may facilitate a coupon, loyalty points or discount service associated with the object Of course, noncommercial messages can also be mediated, for eniple, messages for members of a club or social group.

Claims

Claims: 1 An interactive object comprising message-handHng functionality including message delivery lunctionailty appropriate to the nature of the otect.
2 An object according to daim I compnsing an object made by a 3D prinUng process.
3 An object according to claim 2, in which the functionality h incorporated during the 3D printing process. I0
4 An object according to any one of daims ito 3, in which the functionailty is adapted to operate in conuncthn with a smartphone or tablet or other platform loaded with an app.
An object according to claim 4, assothted with a platform, in which functionafity is shared IS between the object and the platform, so that the object and the platform need to be in communication for the functionality to be effective.
An association according to claim 5, in which communication is by a near field communication system, reqLunng the object and the platform to be close together.
7 An association according to claim 5, in which communication is via a ceilular network. the object having its own SIM card, for example.
$ An association according to any one of claims 4 to 7. in which the part of the functionaUty bested in the object is a machine-readable code which, once read, unlocks platform tunctionality specific to the object.
9 An object according to any one or claims I to 6, in which the message deliveiy functionality delivers visual messages and/or audio messages, which can include spoken messages.An object according to any one of claims I to9, in which messages are displayed on or in the object itself, as on a visual display unit incorporated in the object.ii An object according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which messages are optically prolected from within the object on to a surFace external to the object.12 An object according to any one of claims I to 9, in which messages are routed via the object by a near field communication system such. as WiFi, Bluetooth® or Zigbee® to a visual display unit e.g. of a smartphone, tablet or television screen.13 An object according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which messages comprise promotional messages, which may be given added value simply by emanating from the object or by including an object-specific reference.14 An object according to claim 13, in which messages are uttered in a particular voice associated with the object or prefaced by an utterance associated with the object, or being accompanied by other sounds such as music.15 An object according to any one of claims I to 14, in which the messages are presented in the tonn of an ottewall', in which multipie advertisements can be displayed.16 An object according to claim 15, in which the messages are presented as thumbnails that can be epanded by a mouse clicK or touch screen function, or as a slide show or video.17 An object accordng to any one of dairns Ito 16. in which the deDvery functionaUty is mediated by a smartphone or tablet app or like software, which is inherently or by adaptation spedhc to the object.18 An object according to claim I?, in which a universal' app is adapted by incorporation of an obiectspeciFc proqram module, which mediates the selection of message content and message delivery style, both of which may also be influenced by time of day, time of year, weather, location and other factors.19 An object according to any one of claims I to 18, having a unique ID encoded in or on the object and registered in a database.An object according to any one of claims I to 19. in which transactions involving the object, such as hLlying and selling, renting, changing a value, which might he a monetary value) IS are recorded in memory in or associated with the obect and/or the database, such recording serving also to confirm the 0.21 An object according to any one of claims I to 20, adapted to mediate transactions initiated by the owner or user of the object prompted by messages, particularly advertising or promotional messages.22 An object according to ciaim 11, adapted to faclitate a coupon, loyalty points or discount service associated with the object.