US20210170265A1

US20210170265A1 - Electronic toy

Info

Publication number: US20210170265A1
Application number: US17/117,280
Authority: US
Inventors: Sydney Ella Curran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2020-12-10
Publication date: 2021-06-10

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child).

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/946,008, filed Dec. 10, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied on.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

BACKGROUND

Young children often accompany their parents to restaurants, on periods of travel such as car rides and airplane travel, and to family functions. These young children need to be entertained and properly stimulated, but most traditional toys are not suited for easy transportation to these on-the-go settings. Often, coloring and paper-based activity games are the only options available.
The digital age has brought the rise of the use of tablets to “babysit” young children. Despite the widespread use of the “iPad Babysitter,” research has suggested that prolonged passive media exposure at a young age is detrimental to early-stage development.
While apps claim to be educational and beneficial for child development, interactions through a tablet do not provide the same level of motor skill development as the manipulation of physical toys. The rise in screen time has also created children that do not want to put down the tablet or engage in other forms of stimulation, which creates additional problems for parents.
There remains a need for educational toys that provide feedback to young users.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child).
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic toy comprising: a placement zone (100) configured to receive at least a first object (600 a) and a second object (600 b); a first indicator (200 a) configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object; a second indicator (200 b) configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and a feedback indicator (300) configured to indicate a result from associating the first object and the second object with the placement zone.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an electronic toy comprising: a first placement zone (100 a) configured to receive at least a first object (600 a), the first placement zone (100 a) comprising: a first object detector (110 a) configured to detect the presence of the first object (600 a), and a first code reader (120 a) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the first object (600 a); a second placement zone (100 b) configured to receive at least a second object (600 b), the second placement zone (100 b) comprising: a second object detector (110 b) configured to detect the presence of the second object (600 b), and a second code reader (120 b) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the second object (600 b); a controller (130) operatively connected to the first object detector, the first code reader, the second object detector, and the second code reader, and configured to: identify the first object (100 a) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the first object, and identify the second object (100 b) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the second object; a first indicator (200 a) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object; a second indicator (200 b) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and a feedback indicator (300) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a result based at least on the identity of the first object and the identity of the second object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic toy consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the electronic toy of FIG. 1 while in use.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the electronic toy of FIG. 1 while in use.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a placement subzone of an electronic toy consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

While specific embodiments are illustrated in the figures, with the understanding that the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention described and illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present disclosure provides devices, such as electronic toys, configured to recognize placement of one or more physical objects (e.g., puzzle pieces) on a field and to provide feedback to the user (e.g., a child).
Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, an electronic toy 10 consistent with the present disclosure generally comprises a placement zone 100, a first indicator 200 a, a second indicator 200 b, and a feedback indicator 300.
The placement zone 100 includes a plurality of placement subzones 100 a,100 b, etc. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, for example, the placement zone 100 is a rectangular surface, and each placement subzone 100 a,100 b represents a portion of the rectangular surface. In some embodiments, the placement zone 100 includes at least 2 placement subzones, for example 2 placement subzones, 3 placement subzones, 4 placement subzones, 5 placement subzones, 6 placement subzones, 7 placement subzones, 8 placement subzones, 9 placement subzones, 10 placement subzones, or more than 10 placement subzones.
In some embodiments, an object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is associated with each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. and is in operable communication with the first indicator 200 a. Each object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is configured to detect the presence of an object 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. In some embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is configured to detect the presence of an object 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc., but is not configured to identify which of a plurality of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. is placed in each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is a photodiode configured to detect the presence of an object 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on a decrease in current in an associated circuit when the object 600 a,600 b, etc. reduces the amount of light (e.g., ambient light) reaching the optical lens of the photodiode. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. are preferably opaque, substantially opaque, or prevent transmission of light through the object 600 a,600 b, etc. sufficient to reduce the amount of light reaching the photodiode to decrease the current below a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of an object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is an infrared avoidance sensor comprising an infrared transceiver and configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on the object's proximity to the infrared transceiver (e.g., as a function of at least the level of reflected infrared light observed by the infrared transceiver). In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. are preferably IR-reflective, substantially IR-reflective, or reflect infrared light sufficient to redirect infrared light towards the infrared transceiver above a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of an object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is a metal touch sensor comprising a high-frequency transistor and configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on a change in electrical charge when the object contacts the object detector. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. are preferably conductive, substantially conductive, or conduct current sufficient to close a circuit between the metal touch sensor and the object 600 a,600 b, etc. to indicate the presence of the object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is a magnetic sensor, such as a magnetoresistive sensor, configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on a change in external magnetic field in close proximity to the magnetic sensor. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. are preferably magnetic, substantially magnetic, or modify a magnetic field surrounding the magnetoresistive sensor beyond a predetermined threshold associated with the presence of the object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In other embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is a pressure sensor configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on a change (e.g., an increase or a decrease) in mass (or weight) of the object(s) already placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc., if any. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. preferably have a mass sufficient to trigger a change in the electrical properties of the pressure sensor beyond a threshold change level associated with the presence of the object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is a phototransistor configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on a change in the level of light entering the lens portion of the phototransistor when the object is placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. are preferably opaque, substantially opaque, or prevent transmission of light through the object 600 a,600 b, etc. sufficient to reduce the amount of light reaching the phototransistor below a predetermined threshold level of light associated with the presence of an object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. is an RFID reader, such as a passive RFID-enabled proximity sensor, configured to detect the presence of an object placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. based at least in part on a change in the radio field (e.g., in the UHF frequency's transmission coefficient) when the object is placed in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. need not be radio frequency tags, but are preferably radio-opaque, substantially radio-opaque, or modify a radio field near the RFID reader beyond a predetermined threshold change level associated with the presence of the object 600 a,600 b, etc. in the associated placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc.
In some embodiments, the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc. comprises any two or more of: a photodiode, an infrared avoidance sensor, a metal touch sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, a phototransistor, and an RFID reader. In such embodiments, the use of multiple object detector types reduces potential misidentification events by the object detector 110 a,110 b, etc., and improves performance of the device 10 over a wider range of environments (e.g., low and high ambient light, low and high ambient radio field, low and high magnetic field, etc.).
In some embodiments, a code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is associated with each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. The code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is configured to identify which of a plurality of objects is placed in each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. For example, a first code reader 120 a is associated with the first placement subzone 100 a and is configured to identify the first object 600 a placed within the first placement subzone 100 a.
In some embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is an RFID receiver and is configured to receive an RFID signal associated with the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. preferably include an RFID tag for transmitting a unique RFID signal to the controller 130 via the RFID receiver.
In other embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is a code scanner (e.g., an image capture device or a laser) configured to detect a visible code associated with the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. preferably include a bar code or a QR code or similar optically scannable code that encodes a unique identifier associated with each object 600 a,600 b, etc.
In other embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is a Bluetooth receiver configured to receive a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal. In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. preferably include a BLE signal generator configured to transmit a BLE signal that includes information corresponding to a unique identifier associated with the object 600 a,600 b, etc.
In still other embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is a near field communication (NFC) device configured to generate a radiofrequency field (e.g., at 13.56 MHz). In such embodiments, the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. preferably include an NFC tag (e.g., an NFC Forum Tag) configured to modulate the RF field load generated by the NFC device.
In other embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is an infrared radiation generator and sensor. In still other embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. is a low-power sub-1 GHz transceiver (e.g., CC1101 by Texas Instruments).
In some embodiments, the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. comprises any two or more of: an RFID receiver, a code scanner, a Bluetooth receiver, an NFC device, and an infrared generator and sensor. In such embodiments, the use of multiple code reader types reduces potential misidentification events by the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc.
In some embodiments, the function of detecting the presence of the object 600 a,600 b, etc. and identifying the specific object 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in a placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. is performed by a single sensor in each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. For example, in some embodiments, a code scanner such as an image capture device or a laser may serve as both an object detector 110 a and a code reader 120 a in a first placement subzone 100 a. In some such embodiments, the controller 130 includes instructions configured to cause the combination object detector 110 a/code reader 120 a to periodically (e.g., 10 times per second, 9 times per second, 8 times per second, 7 times per second, 6 times per second, 5 times per second, 4 times per second, 3 times per second, twice per second, once per second, once every two seconds, etc.) emit a signal to read an optically scannable code. If no optically scannable code is observed by the combination object detector 110 a/code reader 120 a, then the controller may cause the first indicator 200 a to not illuminate. If an optically scannable code is observed by the combination object detector 110 a/code reader 120 a, then the controller 130 may cause the first indicator 200 a to illuminate indicating the presence of an object 600 a placed within the first placement subzone 100 a. If the scanned code corresponds to a correct object placed in the first placement subzone 100 a (e.g., an object 600 a that “matches” a second object 600 b placed in the second placement subzone 100 b), the controller 130 may cause the feedback indicator 300 to illuminate to indicate a correct match.
The first indicator 200 a is configured to provide the user information when a first object 600 a is placed in the first placement subzone 100 a. The first indicator 200 a is in electronic communication with the object detector 110 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a, and/or with the code reader 120 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a, for example via a controller 130, which may in turn be in electronic communication with a memory (not shown) configured to store instructions to interpret changes in input signals received from the object reader 110 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a, and input signals received from the code reader 120 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a. In some embodiments, the first indicator 200 a is one or more LED lights (e.g., one, two, or three RGB LED lights) that display a predetermined color of light depending on which first object 600 a is placed in the first placement subzone 100 a (i.e., depending on the input signal received from the code reader 120 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a).
The second indicator 200 b is configured to provide the user information when a second object 600 b is placed in the second placement subzone 100 b. The second indicator 200 b is in electronic communication with the object detector 110 b associated with the first placement subzone 100 a, and/or with the code reader 120 b associated with the second placement subzone 100 b, for example via a controller 130, which may in turn be in electronic communication with a memory (not shown) configured to store instructions to interpret changes in input signals received from the object detector 110 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a, and input signals received from the code reader 120 a associated with the first placement subzone 100 a. In some embodiments, the second indicator 200 b is one or more LED lights (e.g., one, two, or three RGB LED lights) that display a predetermined color of light depending on which second object 600 b is placed in the second placement subzone 100 b (i.e., depending on the input signal received from the code reader 120 b associated with the second placement subzone 100 b).
The controller 130 is in electronic communication with the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. associated with each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc., with the indicator 200 a,200 b, etc. associated with each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc., with the feedback indicator 300, and with the memory. In some embodiments, the controller 130 is a microprocessor.
The memory (not shown) may store a color indicator value associated with each potential scannable code associated with the objects 600 a,600 b, etc. When the first object 600 a is placed in the first placement subzone 100 a, the code reader 120 a associated with the first placement zone 100 a detects the scannable code associated with the first object 600 a. The controller 130 then causes the first indicator 200 a to indicate feedback to the user by producing the color of light through the first indicator 200 a correlating to the color indicator value stored in the memory associated with the scannable code of the first object 600 a. When the second object 600 b is placed in the second placement subzone 100 b, the code reader 120 b associated with the second placement zone 100 b detects the scannable code associated with the second object 600 b. The controller 130 then causes the second indicator 200 b to indicate feedback to the user by producing the color of light in the second indicator 200 b correlating to the color indicator value stored in the memory associated with the scannable code of the second object 600 b.
In some embodiments, the controller 130 and the memory are contained within a single microcontroller or microprocessor. in some embodiments, the microcontroller is an Arduino type processor.
The feedback indicator 300 provides feedback to the user based on the combination of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100. The feedback indicator 300 is in electronic communication with the controller 130. The memory may store a feedback indicator value associated with any given permutation or combination of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. For example, in embodiments where the relative orientation of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. to each other within the placement zone 100 matters, the memory may store a feedback indicator of “FALSE” for all combinations of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. except for the specific combination of a first object 600 a placed in the first placement subzone 100 a, the second object 600 b placed in the second placement subzone 100 b, etc., that provides a correct or true combination, which may be stored in the memory with a feedback indicator value of “TRUE.” When the correct combination or permutation of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. is placed in the placement zone 100, the controller causes the feedback indicator 300 to provide “TRUE” feedback (e.g., a green light or an audible signal) to the user based on the “TRUE” feedback indicator value stored in the memory corresponding to the combination of permutation of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. placed in the placement zone 100 by the user.
In some embodiments, the feedback indicator 300 comprises one or more LED lights (e.g., one or more RGB LED lights).
The device 10 may further include a power supply (not shown), such as a battery or an AC/DC converter for providing power to the device 10 (e.g., to the controller 130).
Each object 600 a,600 b, etc. includes a scannable code configured to be scanned by the code reader 120 a,120 b, etc. associated with each placement subzone 100 a,100 b, etc. In some embodiments, the scannable code is an RFID signal. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a bar code. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a QR code. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal. In other embodiments, the scannable code is a near field communication signal.
In some embodiments, the electronic toy 10 includes a housing 500 that contains the placement zone 100, the first indicator 200 a, the second indicator 200 b, and the feedback indicator 300. In some embodiments, the housing 500 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a tabletop, such as a dining tabletop. In other embodiments, the housing 500 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a rectangular prismatic container.
In use, the electronic toy 10 provides three kinds of feedback to the user. First, it reacts to the presence of a first object 600 a, such as a puzzle piece, by displaying an indicator via first indicator 200 a based on which piece was placed on the placement zone 100 and in which position (e.g., 100 a or 100 b) it was placed. When a combination object is properly assembled by placing all of its component objects in the correct position within the placement zone 100, the feedback indicator 300 indicates to the user that the combination object (e.g., puzzle) is properly assembled. When a piece is removed from the device, the piece indicators and feedback indicator 300 cease to provide information to the user (e.g., the LED lamps are turned off) to indicate that no object is present and that the combination object (e.g., puzzle) is not properly completed.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, a successfully completed combination object (a puzzle) is shown consisting of a first puzzle piece 600 a placed in the placement zone 100, and a second puzzle piece 600 b placed in the placement zone 100 to the right of the first puzzle piece 600 a. The first puzzle piece 600 a includes a RFID chip that generates an RFID signal received by the code reader associated with the first placement subzone. Based on the received RFID signal, the controller causes the first indicator 200 a to produce a green illumination color via RGB LED lights. The second puzzle piece 600 b includes a RFID chip that generates an RFID signal received by the code reader associated with the second placement subzone. Based on the received RFID signal, the controller causes the second indicator 200 b to produce a green illumination color via RGB LED lights. Because the combination object includes a correct combination of a first object 600 a and a second object 600 b, the controller also causes the feedback indicator 300 to provide feedback to the user that the combination object has been properly constructed, in this example by producing a green light via RGB LED lights.
In contrast, the combination object produced by the user in FIG. 3 includes an incorrect combination of a first object 600 a and a second object 600 b. Based on the received RFID signal from the first object 600 a, the controller causes the first indicator 200 a to produce a green light via RGB LED lights, and the second indicator 200 b to produce a purple light via RGB LED lights. Because the first object 600 a and the second object 600 b do not complete a correct combination object, the controller does not cause the feedback indicator 300 to produce a positive (“TRUE”) feedback signal.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. RFID Readers as

Code Scanners

120 a,120 b, Etc.

A device 10 consistent with the present disclosure and including RFID readers as the only code scanners readers 120 a,120 b, etc. was constructed. Identification of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. in the placement subzones 100 a,100 b, etc. was observed at about a 50% accuracy level.

Example 2. Phototransistors as

Object Detectors

110 a,110 b, Etc.

A device 10 consistent with the present disclosure and including phototransistors as the only object detectors 110 a,110 b, etc. was constructed. Detection of the presence of objects 600 a,600 b, etc. in the placement subzones 100 a,100 b, etc. was observed at a very low level. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that light emitted by the indicators 200 a,200 b, etc. and by ambient light transmitted through the translucent lid of the housing 500 impaired the sensitivity of the phototransistors beyond reliable levels.

Example 3. Combination of Photoresistors and RFID Readers

A device 10 consistent with the present disclosure and including low-voltage RFID readers (ID-12LA, ID-innovations, Canning vale, W.A., Australia) as the code readers 120 a,120 b, etc., and 3 mm CdS photoresistors (Part No. KLS6-3537, Ningbo KLS Electronic Co., Ningbo Zhejiang, China) as the object detectors 110 a,110 b, etc. was constructed. RGB LED lamps were used as the indicators 200 a,200 b, etc. and the feedback indicator 300. The controller 130 (Arduino) was configured to (1) receive input signals from the RFID readers to identify the cards placed in the placement zones 100 a,100 b, etc., and (2) illuminate the RGB LED feedback indicator 300 green if the input signals from the RFID readers indicate a correct match, and if the input signals from the photoresistor object detectors 110,110 b, etc. indicate that cards are present in the placement subzones 100 a,100 b, etc. The controller 130 was also configured to receive input signals from the photoresistor object detectors 110 a,110 b, etc. to turn off the RGB LED feedback indicator 300 when a specific amount of time had passed after the input signals from the RFID code readers 120 a,120 b, etc. and photoresistor object detectors 110 a,110 b, etc. indicate a correct match of the cards placed in the placement subzones 100 a,100 b, etc.

Claims

1. An electronic toy comprising:

a placement zone (100) configured to receive at least a first object (600 a) and a second object (600 b);

a first indicator (200 a) configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object;

a second indicator (200 b) configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and

a feedback indicator (300) configured to indicate a result from associating the first object and the second object with the placement zone.

2. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the placement zone comprises an RFID reader and wherein each of the first object and the second object includes a unique RFID tag.

3. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the placement zone comprises an image capture device and wherein each of the first object and the second object includes a unique scannable code.

4. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the placement zone comprises a Bluetooth receiver and wherein each of the first object and the second object includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon.

5. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the first indicator comprises an LED light.

6. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the second indicator comprises an LED light.

7. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the feedback indicator comprises an LED light.

8. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the first object and the second object are each puzzle pieces.

9. The electronic toy of claim 8, wherein the puzzle pieces interlock.

10. An electronic toy comprising:

a first placement zone (100 a) configured to receive at least a first object (600 a),

the first placement zone (100 a) comprising:

a first object detector (110 a) configured to detect the presence of the first object (600 a), and

a first code reader (120 a) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the first object (600 a);

a second placement zone (100 b) configured to receive at least a second object (600 b), the second placement zone (100 b) comprising:

a second object detector (110 b) configured to detect the presence of the second object (600 b), and

a second code reader (120 b) configured to detect a unique identifier associated with the second object (600 b);

a controller (130) operatively connected to the first object detector, the first code reader, the second object detector, and the second code reader, and configured to:

identify the first object (100 a) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the first object, and

identify the second object (100 b) based at least on the unique identifier associated with the second object;

a first indicator (200 a) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a first identity associated with the first object;

a second indicator (200 b) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a second identity associated with the second object; and

a feedback indicator (300) in operative communication with the controller and configured to indicate a result based at least on the identity of the first object and the identity of the second object.

11. The electronic toy of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to cause the feedback indicator to stop indicating the result after a predetermined length of time has passed after the controller begins indicating the result.

12. The electronic toy of claim 10, wherein the first object detector and the second object detector are each photoresistors.

13. The electronic toy of claim 10, wherein the first code reader and the second code reader are each low-voltage RFID readers.