WO2015114620A1 - Building toys using a toy core and toy add-ons - Google Patents

Building toys using a toy core and toy add-ons Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015114620A1
WO2015114620A1 PCT/IL2015/050067 IL2015050067W WO2015114620A1 WO 2015114620 A1 WO2015114620 A1 WO 2015114620A1 IL 2015050067 W IL2015050067 W IL 2015050067W WO 2015114620 A1 WO2015114620 A1 WO 2015114620A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
toy
add
core
electronic
electronic sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2015/050067
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Oren Oz
Original Assignee
Nuvo Group Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nuvo Group Ltd. filed Critical Nuvo Group Ltd.
Publication of WO2015114620A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015114620A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for building toys using a core and add-ons, and more particularly, doing so by electronically matching electronic tags on the toy add-ons to electronic sensors.
  • toys have been created for children's amusement
  • toys are typically sold to consumers in a condition of being already built/formed.
  • toys are specifically building toys such as Lego® or other toys of that genre, in which the amusement consists of having the child attach together modular pieces ad infinitum by friction fit or magnets.
  • the amusement consists of having the child attach together modular pieces ad infinitum by friction fit or magnets.
  • such toys do not provide feedback to a child when building the toy.
  • One aspect of the present invention is a system for building a toy, comprising a toy core including a processor and at least one electronic sensor; and at least one toy add-on having at least one electronic tag, the at least one electronic tag having a code that is uniquely identifiable by the at least one electronic sensor, wherein the toy core and the at least one toy add-on are configured such that when the code is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that an at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, the toy core and the at least one toy add-on also configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
  • a further aspect of the present invention is a system for toy-building, comprising a toy core including a processor and at least one first electronic sensor;
  • At least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by the at least one first electronic sensor, the toy core and at least one first toy add-on configured such that when the first code is uniquely identified, the at least one first electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that a correct at least one first toy add-on has been added, the toy core and the at least one first toy add-on configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one first toy add-on together comprise part of a toy, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor; at least one second toy add-on having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor
  • a still further aspect of the present invention is directed to an assembly for a toy- building system, comprising at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag, the at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by at least one first electronic sensor external to the assembly, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor; and at least one second toy add-on having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor external to the assembly that an electronic tag has been uniquely identified, the assembly shaped to form a toy when combined with a toy core external to the assembly.
  • a further aspect of the present invention is a method of making a toy-building system, comprising configuring at least one electronic tag with a code that is uniquely identifiable by at least one electronic sensor; configuring a toy core with the at least one electronic sensor and with a processor; configuring at least one toy add-on having the at least one electronic tag to be positioned on the toy core such that when the code of the at least one add-on is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor of the toy core, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor that the code has been uniquely identifed, the processor configured to determine from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly; and configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
  • a still further aspect of the present invention is a method used in building toys, comprising providing at least two different packages of toy add-ons, each of the toy add-ons in each of the packages of each kit having at least one electronic tag including a code configured to be uniquely identified by a toy core; configuring each of the toy add-ons in each of the at least two different packages to be combined with the toy core using a particular building method such that a combination of the toy core with any of the different toy add-ons creates a different toy depending on which of the toy add-ons is used in the combination with the toy core, wherein the particular building method involves combining a toy add-on to the toy core by putting the at least one electronic tag of a toy add-on either in proximity to or in contact with at least one electronic sensor of the toy core such that the at least one electronic tag is uniquely identified by the toy core.
  • a yet still further aspect of the present invention is a method of building a toy, comprising adding at least one toy add-on to a toy core by placing the at least one toy add-on in contact with or in proximity range of the toy core such that an electronic tag on the at least one toy add-on is uniquely identified by at least one electronic sensor on the toy core, such that the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor in the toy core, and such that the processor determines from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, wherein the toy core and the at least one add-on are configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the server identifies and sends the right content to the application, which the application then may communicate to the toy core unit.
  • each toy add-on may be equipped with a unique identifier, and the toy core unit may be equipped with electronic sensors at a specific location on the surface, the product can make a unique match between a location and an add-on. Therefore, if the child makes a mistake during the toy building procedure, and puts something in the wrong location, or out of sequence, the toy core unit may be configured to guide him to correct it.
  • the toy building system and method of the present invention may have the ability to be modified by adding a variety of toy add-ons.
  • the toy building method and system of the present invention is, in one preferred embodiment, applicable to toys whose components are not identical to one another.
  • the system and method of the present invention may be applicable to non-biotic toy figures whose components are typically different from one another.
  • the method and system of the present invention is applicable to toys made from generally repeating components (typically add-on components as opposed to the toy core or base) that are generally similar to one another.
  • the at least one electronic sensor 24 may be a pressure sensor that is triggered by contact or a proximity sensor triggered by proximity (one version of the proximity sensor comprises a magnet that may be paired with a corresponding attracting magnet or repelling magnet (or other suitable object exerting an electromagnetic force or other
  • Toy core 20 and at least one add-on 30 may be configured such that when the code 34 of the at least one toy add-on 30 is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor 24 of the toy core 20, such as by an RFID reader for example, the at least one electronic sensor 24 may send a signal to processor 22.
  • the processor 22 may be configured to determine from this signal that a toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on 30 has been added correctly. "Added correctly” means that the correct toy add-on has been properly positioned on the toy core 20. "Added correctly” may also indicate that the correct toy add-on has been properly positioned in a correct sequence.
  • the toy core 20 and the at least one add-on 30 may also be configured such that an outer shape of the toy core 20 combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on 30 comprises a toy 15 (see FIG. 1A).
  • a toy include a non-biotic toy figure (such as a human or animal figure), or a toy vehicle, that a child may recognize as a toy.
  • the at least one electronic sensor includes a first electronic sensor and a second electronic sensor
  • the at least one toy add-on includes a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag, such that the first electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the first electronic sensor and the second electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor.
  • the at least one toy add-on comprises at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on and a second toy add-on, and the at least two different toy add-ons are configured to adjoin the toy core such that the first electronic sensor mates with the first electronic tag and the second electronic sensor mates with the second electronic tag and such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shapes of the first and second toy add-ons comprise the toy.
  • the at least one electronic sensor includes a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor.
  • the at least one toy add-on may include a first electronic tag, a second electronic tag and a third electronic tag, for example such that the first electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the first electronic sensor, the second electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor and the third electronic tag has a code uniquely idenfiable by the third electronic sensor.
  • the at least one toy add-on may include at least three different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on, a second toy add-on and a third toy add-on. The at least three different toy add-ons may mate with the toy core such that the other shape of the toy core together with the outer shape of the at least three different toy add-ons comprise the toy.
  • the processor 22 may be configured to determine that the placement is incorrect (and may signal the interaction unit 28 to that effect. This may be the case even if the toy add-on 30 shaped as a head for some reason is in fact able to be physically attached comfortably to the waist of the non-biotic toy figure.
  • the processor 22 may have been programmed to determine correctness of placement also on the basis of a proper order of placement of the toy add-ons 30.
  • the alert or other feedback may take any suitable form including a sound including words, a visual cue, an olfactory cue, or a tactile cue, such as by movement of a part of the toy (such as if for example the head of the toy bends down to hug or kiss the child).
  • the interaction with the user may be in real time relative to the child's placement of the toy add-on or or near the toy core 20.
  • the processor 22 may direct the interaction based on a premise that the toy being built is a specific toy, for example the specific toy that the remote mobile communication device previously advised the processor 22 was being built.
  • System 410 may include at least one first toy add-on 430 having at least one first electronic tag 432 having a first code 434 uniquely identifiable by the at least one first electronic sensor 424.
  • System 410 may also include a system interaction unit 428 that is analagous in function and structure to interaction unit 28 of system 10.
  • interactive unit 428 may provide positive or negative feedback to a child or other user building the toy.
  • the at least one electronic sensor 424 may be configured to uniquely identify or sense the particular code 434 of the at least one electronic tag 432 and the processor 422 may be configured to associate the unique identification with the "correct" toy add-on being placed in the right place on the toy core 420, and in some cases placed properly in a correct sequence.
  • the toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may also be configured such that an outer shape of the toy core 420 combined with an outer shape of the at least one first toy add-on 430 together comprise part 414 of a toy 415 (see FIG. 2 A).
  • the at least one first toy add-on may also comprise at least one second electronic sensor 435.
  • System 410 may also include at least one second toy add-on 440 having at least one second electronic tag 442, the at least one second electronic tag 442 having a second code 444 uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor 435.
  • the toy core 420, the at least one first toy add-on 430 and the at least one second toy addon 440 may be configured such that when the second code 444 is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor 435 of the at least one first toy add-on 430 signals the processor 422.
  • the processor 422 may be configured to determine from such signal that the correct toy add-on has been added.
  • the meaning of "correct” in the context of adding toy add-ons from the at least one second toy add-on to the at least one first toy add-on is the same as the meaning of "correct” in the context of adding toy add-ons of the at least one first toy add-on 430 to the toy core 420.
  • an outer shape of the part of the toy combined with an outer shape of the at least one second toy add-on 440 together may comprise the toy 415 (see FIG. 2A), which as before may be a non-biotic toy figure.
  • each of the at least one first and second electronic sensors is a pressure sensor that is triggered by contact or a proximity sensor triggered by proximity.
  • the first code may be uniquely identified when the at least one first electronic tag either comes into contact with, or comes into a proximity range of, the at least one first electronic sensor.
  • the second code may be uniquely identified when the at least one second electronic tag either comes into contact with, or comes into a proximity range of, the at least one second electronic sensor.
  • the toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may be configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on 430 at a location on the toy core 420 where a second particular toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on 430 is configured to be placed, the at least one first electronic sensor 424 may send a signal to the processor 422 from which the processor 422 is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned.
  • the toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may be configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one second toy add-on 440 at a location on the at least one first toy add-on 430 where a second particular toy add-on of the at least one second toy add-on 440 is configured to be placed, the at least one second electronic sensor 435 (of the at least one first toy add-on 430) may send a signal to the processor 422 from which the processor 422 is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on of the at least one second toy add-on 440 has been incorrectly positioned.
  • configuring the toy core 420 in this context of negative feedback may amount to configuring or programming processor 422.
  • the present invention may be described as an assembly 490 for a toy-building system, comprising at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag, the at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by at least one first electronic sensor external to (and not part of) the assembly, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor.
  • the assembly may also comprise at least one second toy addon having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor signals a processor external to (and not part of) the assembly that a correct electronic tag (i.e. of the correct toy add-on) has been identified.
  • the assembly may be shaped to form a toy when combined with a toy core external to the assembly.
  • the toy may be a non-biotic toy figure such as a human or animal figure.
  • a step 100 of method 100 may be configuring at least one electronic tag with a code that is uniquely identifiable by at least one electronic sensor.
  • Method 100 may also have a step 120 of configuring a toy core with the at least one electronic sensor and with a processor.
  • Step 130 may involve configuring at least one toy add-on having the at least one electronic tag to be positioned on the toy core such that when the code of the at least one add-on is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor of the toy core, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor that the code has been uniquely identifed, the processor configured to determine from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly.
  • the at least one electronic sensor may signal the processor that a correct toy add-on has been added for example at a correct location (and in some preferred embodiemnts, in a correct sequence), or that an electronic tag has been uniquely identified which the processor may recognize as determining that the correct toy add-on has been added or that a toy add-on has been proposerly positioned on the toy core.
  • Method 100 may also include a step 140 of configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
  • method 300 may have a step of also configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that when a user positions a first toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at a location on the toy core where a second toy add-on is configured to be placed, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that the first toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned.
  • Method 300 may also include a step of providing positive or negative feedback to a child user. Any suitable structure described above in regard to an element of any embodiment of system 10 and system 410 (or assembly 490) may be utilized in implementing a step of method 100.
  • Method 200 may for example include a step 210 of providing at least two different packages of toy add-ons, each of the toy add-ons in each of the packages of each kit having at least one electronic tag including a code configured to be uniquely identified by a toy core.
  • at least one electronic sensor of the toy core may uniquely identify the at least one electronic tag and signal the processor, which may be configured to determine that a correct toy add-on has been properly positioned.
  • each package may have at least two different toy add-ons or at least three different toy add-ons.
  • the third toy add-on may have a third electronic tag.
  • the third electronic tag may have a code uniquely identifiable/readable by a third electronic sensor.
  • the at least three different toy add-ons may collectively mate with the toy core such that the toy core together with the at least three different toy add-ons comprise the non-biotic toy figure.
  • a further step 220 of method 200 may be configuring each of the toy add-ons in each of the at least two different packages to be combined with the toy core using a particular building method such that a combination of the toy core with any of the different toy add-ons creates a different toy depending on which of the toy add-ons is used in the combination with the toy core.
  • the particular building method may involve combining a toy add-on to the toy core by putting the at least one electronic tag of a toy add-on either in proximity to or in contact with at least one electronic sensor of the toy core such that the at least one electronic tag is uniquely identified by the toy core.
  • method 200 there may be a step of providing a toy core having a processor and at least one electronic sensor. There may be a firther step in some versions of method 200 of configuring the at least one electronic sensor to send a signal to the processor when the code is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor. There may also be a further step if method 200 in some versions, of configuring the processor to determine from the signal that a toy add-on has been correctly added. "Correctly added" may signify that a correct toy add-on has been properly placed in a correct location, for example on the toy core, and in some preferred embodiments, placed in a correct sequence. Method 200 may include one or more steps implementing the provision of positive and/or negative feedback to a child or other user. Any suitable structure described in regard to elements of any embodiment of system 10 and system 410 may be utilized in implementing a step of method 200.
  • the present invention may also be described as a method 300 of building a toy.
  • a method 300 may include a step 310 of adding at least one toy add-on to a toy core by placing the at least one toy add-on in contact with or in proximity range of the toy core such that an electronic tag on the at least one toy add-on is uniquely identified by at least one electronic sensor on the toy core, such that the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor in the toy core, and such that the processor determines from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, wherein the toy core and the at least one add-on are configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
  • Some versions of method 300 may also include a step of a user receiving an alert advising that the user has correctly placed the at least one add-on on the toy core. Some versions of method 300 may include configuring the processor to determine a correct placement of a toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at least partly on the basis of a correct order of placement of the toy add-on. Method 300 may include one or more steps of providing positiiove and/or negative feedback to a child or other user during the building of the toy. Any suitable structure described in regard to the elements of any embodiment of system 10 and system 410 may be utilized in implementing a step of method 300.
  • the toy core (for example toy core 10 or toy core 410) has a band that holds the at least one electronic sensor.
  • the band has at least a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor spaced at intervals along the band.
  • the present invention may also be described as a kit comprising different packages, wherein each of the different packages is designed to build, together with the toy core, a different toy figure and wherein each of the different packages is structured/configured in accordance of any of the above described packages (for example a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons collectively mate with the toy core such that the toy core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non- biotic toy figure).
  • a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy

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Abstract

A system for building a toy may comprise a toy core including a processor and at least one electronic sensor; at least one toy add-on having at least one electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable by the at least one electronic sensor, the toy core and the at least one toy add-on configured such that when the code is uniquely identified, the at least one electronic sensor signals the processor, which is configured to determine that a toy add-on has been added correctly. Positive and/or negative feedback may be given. An outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on may together comprise a toy. A first toy add-on, functioning as a base, may have a second electronic sensor and a second toy add-on may have a second electronic tag whose code is uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor.

Description

Title: Building Toys Using a Toy Core and Toy Add-Ons
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for building toys using a core and add-ons, and more particularly, doing so by electronically matching electronic tags on the toy add-ons to electronic sensors.
Numerous toys have been created for children's amusement In regard to non-biotic toy figures, such toys are typically sold to consumers in a condition of being already built/formed.
In this case, the amusement to the user does not derive from building the toy figure. Other toys are specifically building toys such as Lego® or other toys of that genre, in which the amusement consists of having the child attach together modular pieces ad infinitum by friction fit or magnets. Typically, such toys do not provide feedback to a child when building the toy.
Furthermore, such toy building systems involve attachment of the same shaped-piece over and over again.
There is a compelling need to have a method and system of building toys that is educational and diverse enough to structure a wide variety of educational/amusement devices.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a system for building a toy, comprising a toy core including a processor and at least one electronic sensor; and at least one toy add-on having at least one electronic tag, the at least one electronic tag having a code that is uniquely identifiable by the at least one electronic sensor, wherein the toy core and the at least one toy add-on are configured such that when the code is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that an at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, the toy core and the at least one toy add-on also configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
A further aspect of the present invention is a system for toy-building, comprising a toy core including a processor and at least one first electronic sensor;
at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by the at least one first electronic sensor, the toy core and at least one first toy add-on configured such that when the first code is uniquely identified, the at least one first electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that a correct at least one first toy add-on has been added, the toy core and the at least one first toy add-on configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one first toy add-on together comprise part of a toy, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor; at least one second toy add-on having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that a correct at least one second toy add-on has been identified, an outer shape of the part of the toy combined with an outer shape of the at least one second toy add-on together comprising the toy.
A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to an assembly for a toy- building system, comprising at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag, the at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by at least one first electronic sensor external to the assembly, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor; and at least one second toy add-on having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor external to the assembly that an electronic tag has been uniquely identified, the assembly shaped to form a toy when combined with a toy core external to the assembly.
A further aspect of the present invention is a method of making a toy-building system, comprising configuring at least one electronic tag with a code that is uniquely identifiable by at least one electronic sensor; configuring a toy core with the at least one electronic sensor and with a processor; configuring at least one toy add-on having the at least one electronic tag to be positioned on the toy core such that when the code of the at least one add-on is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor of the toy core, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor that the code has been uniquely identifed, the processor configured to determine from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly; and configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy. A still further aspect of the present invention is a method used in building toys, comprising providing at least two different packages of toy add-ons, each of the toy add-ons in each of the packages of each kit having at least one electronic tag including a code configured to be uniquely identified by a toy core; configuring each of the toy add-ons in each of the at least two different packages to be combined with the toy core using a particular building method such that a combination of the toy core with any of the different toy add-ons creates a different toy depending on which of the toy add-ons is used in the combination with the toy core, wherein the particular building method involves combining a toy add-on to the toy core by putting the at least one electronic tag of a toy add-on either in proximity to or in contact with at least one electronic sensor of the toy core such that the at least one electronic tag is uniquely identified by the toy core.
A yet still further aspect of the present invention is a method of building a toy, comprising adding at least one toy add-on to a toy core by placing the at least one toy add-on in contact with or in proximity range of the toy core such that an electronic tag on the at least one toy add-on is uniquely identified by at least one electronic sensor on the toy core, such that the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor in the toy core, and such that the processor determines from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, wherein the toy core and the at least one add-on are configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elements of a bifurcated system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1A is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1 after assembly of the toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1 B is a block diagram showing elements of an integrated system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system in which the at least one add-on plays a dual role, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 2 after assembly of the toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a further method, in accordance with one embodiment of die present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a still further method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing communication interaction being elements of a system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention generally provides a system and method for making a toy. A toy core unit ("toy core") may have at least one electronic sensor, of any suitable technology such as electrical, optical, magnetic or sonar technology. There may also be a large variety of toy addons selectable by a user, wherein each toy add-on may have one or more unique electronic identifier sensors, such as RF-ID. The one or more electronic sensors of the toy core unit may be sensitive to pressure or proximity of a matching electronic device (i.e. the electronic tag on the toy add-on). The electronic tag on the toy add-on may be an embedded electronic device, that is based on pressure and/or proximity in relation to the matching electronic sensor on the toy core unit), and may have a unique identifier (for example: RF-ID). In one preferred embodiment, proximity sensors such as at least one electronic sensor are embedded on the surface of the toy core unit and whenever the matching electronic sensor (for example at least one electronic tag embedded in the toy add add-on) is in proximity to the toy core, an RF-ID circuit is activated signifying that a matching electronic sensor is in proximity to an electronic tag.
In use, a parent may buy the toy core unit. The parent may also download a software application and configure the communication between the application and the toy core unit using wireless communication, such as Bluetooth or WiFi. The parent may also buy a package of toy add-ons that may contains a set number of toy add-ons, for example a package with ten different animals (including for example a rabbit). Each package has a unique code on it that can be identified using the application. The application may read or scan the code on the package and communicate with the processor of the toy core directly or by way of a server of the
manufacturer, wherein the server identifies and sends the right content to the application, which the application then may communicate to the toy core unit.
After this syncronization between the application and the package of add-ons occurs, the application may present to the user/parent the additional characters that can be built from the X number of new add-ons. The parent may choose a specific character, for example a rabbit, and this selection is communicated by the application to the toy core unit. Once this occurs, the toy core unit from that point on "thinks of itself as the "rabbit". The toy core unit may include an internal sound system so that the toy core unit may interact with the child and guide him/her using voice commands to build the selected character.
Since each toy add-on may be equipped with a unique identifier, and the toy core unit may be equipped with electronic sensors at a specific location on the surface, the product can make a unique match between a location and an add-on. Therefore, if the child makes a mistake during the toy building procedure, and puts something in the wrong location, or out of sequence, the toy core unit may be configured to guide him to correct it.
If, for example, a package of toy add-ons has ten different animal or other characters, upon opening the package, the child or parent may select which character the child wishes to build. The selection may be made using the application, which may form part of the remote control device. Once the child selects the character that the child wants to build, the child may utilize the remote control device to communicate the selection to the toy core's controller. For example, if the selected animal character is a "rabbit", the processor/controller in the toy core would be, in certain preferred embodiments, configured to activate its rabbit-building program. The toy core may converse with the child, provide feedback and instruct the child, taking the child through the steps of building the rabbit. For example the toy core may speak to the child using the sound system saying, "take the red nose and put the red nose on the face of the rabbit." The toy core may have electronic sensors, such as proximity or pressure sensors at various points on its external surface that are, in one preferred embodiment, configured to sense pressure from the child attaching something at that point. The pressure sensors may also be configured to send and receive comunications to and from the controller of the toy core. If the child builds the toy correctly, a correct match between the portion of the toy add-on and the location on the toy core unit may be made, thanks to the unique electronic sensors/identifiers exist within each add-on. On the other hand, if the child were to mistakenly place the red nose at a portion of the toy core other than where the red nose is supposed to be placed, the electronic sensor situated in the spot where the red nose was supposed to be placed, will signal the controller. The controller will then provide feedback to the child, in this case correcting the child and giving an instruction where to put it. If the child puts the red nose in its correct place, the toy core then moves to the next instruction.
The selection may teach fine and gross motor skills, together with cognitive ability (by identifying the right toy add-on from amongst all the toy add-ons) . The voice interaction (the commands and feedback) teach basic language skills to the child in the context of an enjoyable fun task.
In contrast to prior art toy building methods and systems, in which the child does not receive affirmative and immediate positive or negative feedback telling the child that the placed component has been properly or improperly positioned on the toy, the system and method of the present invention may affirmatively provide a child user with such positive and/or negative feedback. For example, in contrast to toy building systems and methods of the prior art, in which attachment of new parts of the toy may occur by magnets or friction fit without the child being notified whether the new part has been attached correctly, the system and method of the present invention may utilize an electronic matching system that alerts the child as to whether the new part has been placed in (he right place and in the right way. For example, at least one toy add-on may have at least one electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable by at least one electronic sensor, and the toy core and at least one add-on may be configured such that when the code of the at least one add-on is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor of the toy core, the at least one electronic sensor may signal the processor that a matching electronic tag has been identified, and the processor may responsively alert the child. In further contrast to prior art toy building systems in which an add-on component functions in a single role as an addon, the toy add-ons of the present invention may have a second role in which they serve as a base for attachment of further toy add-ons. This may be accomplished by fitting certain toy add-ons with elements present in a toy core, such as at least one electronic sensor. In still further contrast to the prior art toys, the additional trust and feelings accumulated over the years from infancy through childhood may make the toy more attractive to the child and allow the parent to transmit the desired educational (or amusement) content to the child as the child develops. In still further contrast to prior art toys, the system and method of the present invention may interactively teach basic language skills, fine and gross motor skills and cognitive ability. For example, the voice commands and feedback teach basic language skills to the child in the context of an enjoyable fun task. In contrast to prior art toy devices, which may be static and have limited ability to be modified, the toy building system and method of the present invention may have the ability to be modified by adding a variety of toy add-ons. In still further contrast to prior ar toy building schemes, the toy building method and system of the present invention is, in one preferred embodiment, applicable to toys whose components are not identical to one another. For example, the system and method of the present invention may be applicable to non-biotic toy figures whose components are typically different from one another. In a different preferred embodiment, the method and system of the present invention is applicable to toys made from generally repeating components (typically add-on components as opposed to the toy core or base) that are generally similar to one another. In still further contrast to prior art toy building systems, apparatuses and methods, in which correctness of placement of a component is determined solely by whether the component fits on the toy physically, the system and method of the present invention, in certain preferred embodiments, may utilize a processor that may be programmed to determine a correctness of placement of a toy add-on based on an order of placement of the particular toy add-on in relation to other toy add-ons, and not merely on the basis of whether the particular toy add-on can be made to physically fit on the toy core, or on a different toy add-on. Such processor may signal the child user on the basis of this determination.
The principles and operation of building a toy using a toy core and toy add-ons, according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention may be described as a system 10 for building a toy. System 10 may comprise a toy core 20 that may include a processor 22 and at least one electronic sensor 24. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one electronic sensor is situated on the surface or close to the surface but beneath the surface, of the toy core. The at least one electronic sensor 24 may include one or more pressure sensors that are triggered by contact or pressure or it may include one or more proximity sensors triggered by proximity, including but not limited to a magnet connected to circuitry sensitive to a force or electromagnetic field of a corresponding magnet.
The at least one electronic sensor 24 (in toy core 20 or in a first (or subsequent) toy addon of a multi-toy-add-on assembly which may form part of a system of the present invention) may comprise one or more magnets connected to circuitry (and thereby connected to a processor, for example processor 22), wherein the magnet senses a magnetic force when the at least one electronic tag 32, which itself may comprise at least one magnet or something else that affects an electromagnetic parameter of magnets, is close enough to it to exert a certain amount of magnetic force or other parameter. When the sensed magnetic force, field or other electromagnetic parameter, reaches a pre-defined threshold, or exhibits a quantifiable pre-defined nature, the processor 22 considers the at least one electronic tag 32 to uniquely "match" the at least one electronic sensor 24. Thus, the term "proximity sensor" shall be understood to include a magnet that senses another corresponding magnet (which other corresponding magnet may be the at least one electronic tag 32) when that other corresponding magnet (or other exerting object) exerts a certain amount or type of electromagnetic force or other parameter, such that the proximity of the magnet to the other magnet or object determines the quantity (or nature) of the exertion (of the electromagnetic force or other electromagnetic parameter). "Electromagnetic" means electric and/or magnetic.
The term "pressure sensor" includes any electronic sensor that is configured to sense the presence of contact, which in certain preferred embodiments means even mild pressure from contact and which in certain other preferred embodiments means a more formidable pre-defined amount of pressure. The pressure referred to for this "pressure sensor" is pressure exerted against the at least one electronic sensor 24 rather than pressure from a gas against an external object in another location, such as the gas pressure of an enclosed chamber. The proximity sensor 24 may emit an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation (infrared, for instance), and look for changes in the field or return signal. Well known non-limiting examples of proximity sensors that are electronic include capacitive and capacitive displacement sensor, Doppler effect (sensor based on effect), eddy-current, inductive, laser rangefinder, magnetic including magnetic proximity fuse, passive optical (such as charge-coupled devices), passive thermal infrared, photocell (reflective). A capacitive photoelectric sensor might be suitable for a plastic target; an inductive proximity sensor always requires a metal target. Accordingly, the at least one electronic tag 32 is configured to be suitable for the at least one electronic sensor 24 and may be suitable technologically for an environment, such as toy add-ons being added to a toy core, where the distance between the at least one electronic sensor 24 in toy core 20 and the at least one electronic tag 32 in the toy add-on is relatively short.
Processor 22 in toy core 20 may be configured to engage in communication, preferably wireless, with a transceiver of a remote device 60, for example a device such as a mobile communication device, that itself includes a processor that executes an application, for example a software application, designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. The application may therefore operate a transceiver. The remote device may be said to operate the transceiver in accordance with the software application. The application may have the ability to communicate with the toy core unit 20.
System 10 may also have at least one toy add-on 30 having at least one electronic tag 32.
The at least one electronic tag 32 may have a code 34 that may be identifiable, and preferrably uniquely identifiable, by the at least one electronic sensor 24. For example, the code 34 of the at least one electronic tag 32 may be uniquely identifiable by the at least one electronic sensor 24 either when the at least one electronic tag 32 comes into contact with the at least one electronic sensor 24 or, in other preferred embodiments, when the at least one electronic tag 32 comes into a proximity range of the at least one electronic sensor 24, including, in certain preferred embodiments, when the at least one electronic tag 32 exerts a pre-defined electromagnetic force on the at least one electronic sensor 24. In that case, the proximity range may be derived from a quantity or nature of electromagnetic field or electromagnetic force sensed by the at least one electronic sensor 24. Broadly speaking, the at least one electronic tag 32 has data identifying it that may be electronically sensed/identified by the at least one electronic sensor 24.
Accordingly, the at least one electronic sensor 24 may be a pressure sensor that is triggered by contact or a proximity sensor triggered by proximity (one version of the proximity sensor comprises a magnet that may be paired with a corresponding attracting magnet or repelling magnet (or other suitable object exerting an electromagnetic force or other
electronimagnetic parameter) of the at least one electronic tag 32). In some preferred
embodiments, a single toy may have both proximity sensors and pressure sensors, with the respective accompanying electronic tags.
In its broadest sense, the at least one electronic sensor 24, which may be situated for example in the toy core 20, is one or more electronic components (which includes a magnet connected to circuitry) that identify the presence of another electronic component or components situated in a structure adjacent or near the structure that the at least one electronic sensor 24 is situated in, in this case (where the at least one electronic sensor 24 is located in the toy core 20), the electronic component(s) identified by the at least one electronic sensor 24 may be situated in the toy add-on adjacent the toy core, for example in the at least one toy add-on 30. Depending on the technology, the at least one electronic sensor 24 may include two separate electronic components. For example, as shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 2A, which depicts one such preferred "bifurcated" implementation of the present invention in the context of a system (but which may also be used in a method or assembly of the present invention), the at least one electronic sensor 24 has a bifurcated structure and includes one or more sensors 24a such as proximity sensors (labeled "PMS" for proximity sensor in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and one or more RFID readers 24b. The one or more proximity sensor(s) may perform the function of identifying the presence of an electronic component in the toy add-on 30, which electronic component in the example as shown in FIG. 1 is a matching sensor 32a. The RFID reader, on the other hand, may perform the additional function of identifying the identity of, such as by identifying a unique electronic code 34 of, an electronic component (such as one or more RFID tags) of the one or more electronic tags 32b. In a preferred embodiment, the identification of the code 34 by a reader of at least one electronic sensor 24 is triggered by the identification of the presence of an electronic component. This may occur, in certain preferred embodiments, when the reader 24b sends a signal to one or more electronic tags 32b of the at least one electronic tag 32, such as an infra red or other electromagetic radiation, upon being directed by processor 22 to do so after processor 22 receives a signal from the at least one electronic sensor 24 indicating detection of the presence of the at least one elecronic tag 32, such as the presence of an electronic tag 32b of the at least one electronic tag 32.
In other technological implementations of a system, method or assembly of the present invention, such as system 10 shown in FIG. 1 B, these two functions (identifying the presence and identifying the identity) may be combined into one structure - that is the at least one electronic sensor 24 may have an integrally built-in reader and the at least one electronic tag 32 may have integrally built-in to it both a matching sensor (that matches the sensor of the at least one electronic sensor 24) and an electronic tag containing a unique code 34. Hence, it should be clear that references herein to the "at least one electronic sensor 24" include both functions of the at least one electronic sensor 24 (identifying the presence and identifying the identity of an electronic component in the toy add-on), whether those functions are broken into separate electronic components ("bifurcated version" shown in FIGS. 1, 1 A and 2) or whether they are integrated into a single electronic component ("integrated version" shown in FIG. IB) (which single electronic component may or may not comprise two subparts corresponding to the two functions, depending on the technology). Correspondingly, references herein to the "at least one electronic tag" in a toy add-on include both functions of the at least one electronic tag 24 (to have its presence identified and to have its identity identiled) whether those functions are broken into separate electronic components or whether they are integrated into a single electronic component (which single electronic component may or may not comprise two subparts corresponding to the two functions, depending on the technology).
Furthermore, processor 22 may be configured to receive a signal (which may represent an output) from the at least one electronic sensor 24 in both the bifurcated and integrated versions. In the bifurcated version, there may be a separate signal from the proximity sensor to the processor 22 (identifying the presence of an electronic component(s)in the toy add-on ) and a separate signal from the reader of the at least one electronic sensor 24 to the processor 22 (identifying the identity, for example by unique code 34 of the electronic component in the toy add-on). The word "presence" in the phrase "identifying the presence" as used in this patent application means a spatially defined state such as proximity (such as particularly defined) or such as contact (such as particularly defined).
Even in the bifurcated version (see, e.g. FIG. 1), when utilizing pressure sensors for the sensors 24a of the at least one electronic sensor 24, it may be unnecessary in certain preferred embodiments to have a separate matching sensor in the toy add-on. This is because the very act of contacting or pressuring the one or more sensors 24a (of the at least one electronic sensor 24) with the toy add-on that contains the at least one electronic tag 32 itself signifies the presence of the at least one electronic tag 32 and triggers reading its code 34.
Toy core 20 may be formed of any shape and material suitable for a core of a toy and suitable to accommodate the other components of system 10. For example, toy core 20 may have a shape of a torso of a human figure. Toy core 20 may be a spheroid, such as a sphere, or may be an oblate spheroid or a prolate spheroid. In other preferred embodiments, toy core 20 may be substantially cubical or may be conical or frustoconical. In one preferred embodiment, toy core 20 may have legs projecting out of a lower surface of toy core 20. In certain preferred embodiments, toy core 20 may have one or more curved, rounded or arcuate surfaces among its top surface, bottom surface, rear surface, front surface, left side surface and right side surface. In certain preferred embodiments, toy core 20 may have one or more flat surfaces among its top surface, bottom surface, rear surface, front surface, left side surface and right side surface.
Positive Feedback
Toy core 20 and at least one add-on 30 may be configured such that when the code 34 of the at least one toy add-on 30 is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor 24 of the toy core 20, such as by an RFID reader for example, the at least one electronic sensor 24 may send a signal to processor 22. When the at least one electronic sensor 24 sends a signal to the processor, the processor 22 may be configured to determine from this signal that a toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on 30 has been added correctly. "Added correctly" means that the correct toy add-on has been properly positioned on the toy core 20. "Added correctly" may also indicate that the correct toy add-on has been properly positioned in a correct sequence. In contrast, if a different electronic tag were to be put in proximity (or in contact) with the same at least one electronic sensor 24, then there would be no match and no signal of positive feedback would be sent to the processor indicating that the correct toy add-on has been placed or attached at the correct position on the toy core 20.
Furthermore, the toy core 20 and the at least one add-on 30 may also be configured such that an outer shape of the toy core 20 combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on 30 comprises a toy 15 (see FIG. 1A). Examples of such a toy include a non-biotic toy figure (such as a human or animal figure), or a toy vehicle, that a child may recognize as a toy.
In one preferred embodiment, the at least one electronic sensor includes a first electronic sensor and a second electronic sensor, and the at least one toy add-on includes a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag, such that the first electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the first electronic sensor and the second electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor. In a preferred version, the at least one toy add-on comprises at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on and a second toy add-on, and the at least two different toy add-ons are configured to adjoin the toy core such that the first electronic sensor mates with the first electronic tag and the second electronic sensor mates with the second electronic tag and such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shapes of the first and second toy add-ons comprise the toy.
In another preferred embodiment, the at least one electronic sensor includes a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor. In this preferred embodiment, the at least one toy add-on may include a first electronic tag, a second electronic tag and a third electronic tag, for example such that the first electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the first electronic sensor, the second electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor and the third electronic tag has a code uniquely idenfiable by the third electronic sensor. The at least one toy add-on may include at least three different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on, a second toy add-on and a third toy add-on. The at least three different toy add-ons may mate with the toy core such that the other shape of the toy core together with the outer shape of the at least three different toy add-ons comprise the toy.
In any preferred embodiment of the present invention, regarding the positive feedback, the processor (for example processor 22 or processor 422 of system 10 or 410 or assembly 490) may be configured to determine (and to signal such determination to the user) that the toy add-on has been correctly positioned by the child user not merely on the basis of whether the toy add-on 30 physically fits on the toy core 20 (or on a different toy add-on 30) but also on the basis of whether that particular toy add-on 30 has been added in the proper order relative to other toy add-ons 30. For example, if the toy 15 is a non-biotic human toy figure and if the toy core 20 happens to be in the form of the legs plus the waist of the non-biotic toy figure, then if the child attempts to add a toy add-on 30 shaped as a head on the core 20, the processor 22 may be configured to determine that the placement is incorrect (and may signal the interaction unit 28 to that effect. This may be the case even if the toy add-on 30 shaped as a head for some reason is in fact able to be physically attached comfortably to the waist of the non-biotic toy figure. The processor 22 may have been programmed to determine correctness of placement also on the basis of a proper order of placement of the toy add-ons 30. In some cases, there may be more than one correct order of placement. For example, if the toy is a human non-biotic toy figure, addition of a toy add-on 30 comprising a left hand and the addition of a toy add-on 30 comprising a right hand, may both be deemed correct.
Negative Feedback
In any system, method or assembly of the present invention, the toy core and the at least one toy add-on (or the at least one first toy add-on or the at least one second toy add-on) may be configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on (or an at least one first or second toy add-on) at a location on the toy core where a second particular toy add-on is configured to be placed, the at least one electronic sensor (or the at least one first or second electronic sensor) may send a signal to the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned. This is an example of negative feedback that a child may receive while building the toy. In this context, the terms "first particular toy add-on" and "second particular toy add-on" are not intended to denote anything about a sequence in which the toy add-ons are supposed to be placed on the toy core, but rather to denote two particular toy add-ons. In other preferred embodiments, the child receives only positive feedback and no negative feedback, i.e. the system may be configured such that no error signal is sent.
In one preferred embodiment for use with system 10 or with any other system, method or assembly of the present invention (i.e. system 410, methods 100, 200, 300, etc.), the at least one toy add-on is included in a package, the package having a package identifier code that the processor recognizes as identifying the toy. Accordingly, in this one preferred embodiment, the system 10 (or the system 410) further comprises a remote mobile communication device 60 that may be configured to perform at least one of (i) scanning the package identifier code to identify a code associated with the contents of the package so as to identify which toy the toy add-on is used with, and (ii) transmitting a communication to the processor identifying the package identifier code so that the processor 22 may direct its interaction unit 28 based on the premise that it is such and such toy that is being built.
As shown in FIG. 6, in use, a parent 90 or other user may buy the toy core unit and may also download a software application and configure the communication between the application and the toy core unit using wireless communication. The parent may buy a package 70 of add- ons that may contains X number of add-ons. Each package, using its unique code can be identified using the application. The application 61 , which may be built into the remote mobile communications device 60, may read or scan the code 71 on the package 70 and communicate with a server 80 of a company wherein the server 80 identifies and sends the right content to the application, which the application then may communicate to the toy core unit. Alternatively, as also shown in FIG. 6, the remote mobile communication device 60 may transmit the code directly to the toy core unit 20 and its processor 22.
After this syncronization between the application and the package of add-ons occurs, the application may present to the parent the additional characters that can be built from the X number of new add-ons. The parent chooses a specific character, and this selection is
communicated by the remote mobile communication device's application to the toy core unit. Then, the toy core signals the electronic sensors to signal that the correct toy add-on (having the correct electronic tag) has been attached based on the known way of building that particular character (for example a rabbit).
System 10 may include an interactive unit 28, which typically is part of toy core 20. Interactive unit 28 may provide positive feedback or negative feedback to the child or other user of system 10. Interactive unit 28 may interact with the child or parent or other user during the building of the toy. In one example, the interactive unit 28 may comprise an internal sound system 28 so that the toy core unit may interact with the child by guiding the child using voice commands to build the selected toy. Processor 22 may be configured such that when the at least one electronic sensor 24 identifies the code 34 of an electronic tag of the at least one electronic tag 32, the processor 22 sends an alert, for example by actuating a sound or other communication system within the interactive unit 28 to alert the child (or parent or other user), and in some embodiments to provide further instructions. The alert or other feedback may take any suitable form including a sound including words, a visual cue, an olfactory cue, or a tactile cue, such as by movement of a part of the toy (such as if for example the head of the toy bends down to hug or kiss the child). The interaction with the user may be in real time relative to the child's placement of the toy add-on or or near the toy core 20. The processor 22 may direct the interaction based on a premise that the toy being built is a specific toy, for example the specific toy that the remote mobile communication device previously advised the processor 22 was being built.
As shown in FIG. 2, a system 410 is shown where in certain preferred embodiments, a toy add-on, for example the at least one toy add-on, plays an additional role by also functioning as a base (similar to the rold of toy core 20 in system 10) for placement of a further toy add-on. The at least one toy add-on 430 may then have proximity sensors or pressure sensors to match the toy core unit 420 and additional proximity sensors or pressure sensors to match the further add-on. Accordingly, the present invention may be described as a system 410 for toy-building comprising a toy core 420 including a processor 422 and at least one first electronic sensor 424. System 410 may include at least one first toy add-on 430 having at least one first electronic tag 432 having a first code 434 uniquely identifiable by the at least one first electronic sensor 424. System 410 may also include a system interaction unit 428 that is analagous in function and structure to interaction unit 28 of system 10. For example, interactive unit 428 may provide positive or negative feedback to a child or other user building the toy.
Positive Feedback
The toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may be configured such that when the first code 434 is uniquely identified, the at least one first electronic sensor signals the processor that the correct toy add-on has been identified. This is the same signal used for positive feedback described in the context of system 10. For example, the at least one electronic sensor 424 may send a signal the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that a correct toy add-on has been added, i.e. that a toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on 430 has been added correctly. "Added correctly" means that the correct toy add-on has been positioned properly in the right place on the toy core 420. "Added correctly" may also signify that the correct toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on 430 has been added in a correct sequence. The at least one electronic sensor 424 may be configured to uniquely identify or sense the particular code 434 of the at least one electronic tag 432 and the processor 422 may be configured to associate the unique identification with the "correct" toy add-on being placed in the right place on the toy core 420, and in some cases placed properly in a correct sequence.
The toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may also be configured such that an outer shape of the toy core 420 combined with an outer shape of the at least one first toy add-on 430 together comprise part 414 of a toy 415 (see FIG. 2 A). In system 410, the at least one first toy add-on may also comprise at least one second electronic sensor 435. System 410 may also include at least one second toy add-on 440 having at least one second electronic tag 442, the at least one second electronic tag 442 having a second code 444 uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor 435.
Further Positive Feedback
The toy core 420, the at least one first toy add-on 430 and the at least one second toy addon 440 may be configured such that when the second code 444 is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor 435 of the at least one first toy add-on 430 signals the processor 422. The processor 422 may be configured to determine from such signal that the correct toy add-on has been added. The meaning of "correct" in the context of adding toy add-ons from the at least one second toy add-on to the at least one first toy add-on is the same as the meaning of "correct" in the context of adding toy add-ons of the at least one first toy add-on 430 to the toy core 420.
In addition, an outer shape of the part of the toy combined with an outer shape of the at least one second toy add-on 440 together may comprise the toy 415 (see FIG. 2A), which as before may be a non-biotic toy figure. As in system 10, each of the at least one first and second electronic sensors is a pressure sensor that is triggered by contact or a proximity sensor triggered by proximity. Accordingly, the first code may be uniquely identified when the at least one first electronic tag either comes into contact with, or comes into a proximity range of, the at least one first electronic sensor. The second code may be uniquely identified when the at least one second electronic tag either comes into contact with, or comes into a proximity range of, the at least one second electronic sensor.
System 410 may further include a remote mobile communication device configured to perform at least one of (t) scanning the package identifier code and (ii) transmitting a
communication to the processor identifying the package identifier code.
Negative Feedback
In system 410, the toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may be configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on 430 at a location on the toy core 420 where a second particular toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on 430 is configured to be placed, the at least one first electronic sensor 424 may send a signal to the processor 422 from which the processor 422 is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned. Likewise, the toy core 420 and the at least one first toy add-on 430 may be configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one second toy add-on 440 at a location on the at least one first toy add-on 430 where a second particular toy add-on of the at least one second toy add-on 440 is configured to be placed, the at least one second electronic sensor 435 (of the at least one first toy add-on 430) may send a signal to the processor 422 from which the processor 422 is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on of the at least one second toy add-on 440 has been incorrectly positioned. In preferred embodiments of system 410, configuring the toy core 420 in this context of negative feedback, may amount to configuring or programming processor 422.
The present invention may be described as an assembly 490 for a toy-building system, comprising at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag, the at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by at least one first electronic sensor external to (and not part of) the assembly, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor. The assembly may also comprise at least one second toy addon having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor signals a processor external to (and not part of) the assembly that a correct electronic tag (i.e. of the correct toy add-on) has been identified. The assembly may be shaped to form a toy when combined with a toy core external to the assembly. The toy may be a non-biotic toy figure such as a human or animal figure.
As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention may be described as a method 100 of making a toy-building system. For example, a step 100 of method 100 may be configuring at least one electronic tag with a code that is uniquely identifiable by at least one electronic sensor. Method 100 may also have a step 120 of configuring a toy core with the at least one electronic sensor and with a processor. Step 130 may involve configuring at least one toy add-on having the at least one electronic tag to be positioned on the toy core such that when the code of the at least one add-on is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor of the toy core, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor that the code has been uniquely identifed, the processor configured to determine from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly. The at least one electronic sensor may signal the processor that a correct toy add-on has been added for example at a correct location (and in some preferred embodiemnts, in a correct sequence), or that an electronic tag has been uniquely identified which the processor may recognize as determining that the correct toy add-on has been added or that a toy add-on has been proposerly positioned on the toy core. Method 100 may also include a step 140 of configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy. In some versions, method 300 may have a step of also configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that when a user positions a first toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at a location on the toy core where a second toy add-on is configured to be placed, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that the first toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned. Method 300 may also include a step of providing positive or negative feedback to a child user. Any suitable structure described above in regard to an element of any embodiment of system 10 and system 410 (or assembly 490) may be utilized in implementing a step of method 100.
As shown in FIG. 4, the present invention may be described as a method 200 used in building toys. Method 200 may for example include a step 210 of providing at least two different packages of toy add-ons, each of the toy add-ons in each of the packages of each kit having at least one electronic tag including a code configured to be uniquely identified by a toy core. For example, at least one electronic sensor of the toy core may uniquely identify the at least one electronic tag and signal the processor, which may be configured to determine that a correct toy add-on has been properly positioned. In one preferred embodiment, each package may have at least two different toy add-ons or at least three different toy add-ons. If there is a third toy add-on in a package, the third toy add-on may have a third electronic tag. The third electronic tag may have a code uniquely identifiable/readable by a third electronic sensor. The at least three different toy add-ons may collectively mate with the toy core such that the toy core together with the at least three different toy add-ons comprise the non-biotic toy figure. A further step 220 of method 200 may be configuring each of the toy add-ons in each of the at least two different packages to be combined with the toy core using a particular building method such that a combination of the toy core with any of the different toy add-ons creates a different toy depending on which of the toy add-ons is used in the combination with the toy core. The particular building method may involve combining a toy add-on to the toy core by putting the at least one electronic tag of a toy add-on either in proximity to or in contact with at least one electronic sensor of the toy core such that the at least one electronic tag is uniquely identified by the toy core.
In some versions of method 200, there may be a step of providing a toy core having a processor and at least one electronic sensor. There may be a firther step in some versions of method 200 of configuring the at least one electronic sensor to send a signal to the processor when the code is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor. There may also be a further step if method 200 in some versions, of configuring the processor to determine from the signal that a toy add-on has been correctly added. "Correctly added" may signify that a correct toy add-on has been properly placed in a correct location, for example on the toy core, and in some preferred embodiments, placed in a correct sequence. Method 200 may include one or more steps implementing the provision of positive and/or negative feedback to a child or other user. Any suitable structure described in regard to elements of any embodiment of system 10 and system 410 may be utilized in implementing a step of method 200.
As seen from FIG. 5, the present invention may also be described as a method 300 of building a toy. For example, such a method 300 may include a step 310 of adding at least one toy add-on to a toy core by placing the at least one toy add-on in contact with or in proximity range of the toy core such that an electronic tag on the at least one toy add-on is uniquely identified by at least one electronic sensor on the toy core, such that the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor in the toy core, and such that the processor determines from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, wherein the toy core and the at least one add-on are configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
Some versions of method 300 may also include a step of a user receiving an alert advising that the user has correctly placed the at least one add-on on the toy core. Some versions of method 300 may include configuring the processor to determine a correct placement of a toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at least partly on the basis of a correct order of placement of the toy add-on. Method 300 may include one or more steps of providing positiiove and/or negative feedback to a child or other user during the building of the toy. Any suitable structure described in regard to the elements of any embodiment of system 10 and system 410 may be utilized in implementing a step of method 300.
In some preferred embodiments, the toy core (for example toy core 10 or toy core 410) has a band that holds the at least one electronic sensor. For example, the band has at least a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor spaced at intervals along the band.
The present invention may also be described as a kit comprising different packages, wherein each of the different packages is designed to build, together with the toy core, a different toy figure and wherein each of the different packages is structured/configured in accordance of any of the above described packages (for example a package of at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on having a first electronic tag, the first electronic tag having a code uniquely identifiable/readable by the first electronic sensor and a second toy add-on having a second electronic tag, the second electronic tag having a code uniquely readable by the second electronic sensor, wherein the at least two different toy add-ons collectively mate with the toy core such that the toy core together with the at least two different toy add-ons comprise a non- biotic toy figure).
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAMED IS:
1. A system for building a toy, comprising:
a toy core including a processor and at least one electronic sensor; and
at least one toy add-on having at least one electronic tag, the at least one electronic tag having a code that is uniquely identifiable by the at least one electronic sensor,
wherein the toy core and the at least one toy add-on are configured such that when the code is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that an at least one toy add-on has been added correctly,
the toy core and the at least one toy add-on also configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic sensor is a pressure sensor that is triggered by contact or a proximity sensor triggered by proximity.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the code of the at least one electronic tag is uniquely identifiable by the at least one electronic sensor either when the at least one electronic tag comes into contact with the at least one electronic sensor or when the at least one electronic tag comes into proximity range of the at least some electronic sensor.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic sensor includes a first electronic sensor and a second electronic sensor, and the at least one toy add-on includes a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag, such that the first electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the first electronic sensor and the second electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one toy add-on comprises at least two different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on and a second toy add-on, and wherein the at least two different toy add-ons are configured to adjoin the toy core such that the first electronic sensor uniquely identifies the first electronic tag and the second electronic sensor uniquely identifies the second electronic tag and such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shapes of the first and second toy add-ons comprise the toy.
6. The system of claim I, wherein the at least one electronic sensor includes a first electronic sensor, a second electronic sensor and a third electronic sensor, the at least one toy add-on includes a first electronic tag, a second electronic tag and a third electronic tag such that the first electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the first electronic sensor, the second electronic tag has a code uniquely identifiable by the second electronic sensor and the third electronic tag has a code uniquely idenfiable by the third electronic sensor.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one toy add-on includes at least three different toy add-ons including a first toy add-on, a second toy add-on and a third toy add-on, and wherein the at least three different toy add-ons uniquely identifies the toy core such that the other shape of the toy core together with the outer shapes of the at least three different toy addons comprise the toy.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one toy add-on is included in a package, the package having a package identifier code that the processor recognizes as identifying the toy.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a remote mobile communication device configured to perform at leaast one of (i) scanning the package identifier code and (ii) transmitting a communication to the processor identifying the package identifier code.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the toy is a non-biotic toy figure.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the toy core and the at least one toy add-on are configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at a location on the toy core where a second particular toy add-on is configured to be placed, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic sensor comprises a reader and at least one sensor and wherein the at least one electronic tag comprises an RFID tag readable by the reader and a proximity sensor whose presence is detectable by the at least one sensor.
13. A system for toy-building, comprising:
a toy core including a processor and at least one first electronic sensor;
at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by the at least one first electronic sensor, the toy core and at least one first toy add-on configured such that when the first code is uniquely identified, the at least one first electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that a correct at least one first toy add-on has been added,
the toy core and the at least one first toy add-on configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one first toy add-on together comprise part of a toy,
the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor; at least one second toy add-on having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor, the processor configured to determine from the signal that a correct at least one second toy add-on has been identified,
an outer shape of the part of the toy combined with an outer shape of the at least one second toy add-on together comprising the toy.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the at least one first and second electronic sensors is a pressure sensor that is triggered by contact or a proximity sensor triggered by proximity.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first code is uniquely identified when the at least one first electronic tag either comes into contact with, or comes into a proximity range of, the at least one first electronic sensor.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second code is uniquely identified when the at least one second electronic tag either comes into contact with, or comes into a proximity range of, the at least one second electronic sensor.
17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a remote mobile communication device configured to perform at leaast one of (i) scanning the package identifier code and (ii) transmitting a communication to the processor identifying the package identifier code.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the toy core and the at least one first toy add-on are configured such that when a user positions a first particular toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on at a location on the toy core where a second particular toy add-on of the at least one first toy add-on is configured to be placed, the at least one first electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that the first particular toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned.
19. An assembly for a toy-building system, comprising:
at least one first toy add-on having at least one first electronic tag, the at least one first electronic tag having a first code uniquely identifiable by at least one first electronic sensor external to the assembly, the at least one first toy add-on also comprising at least one second electronic sensor; and
at least one second toy add-on having at least one second electronic tag, the at least one second electronic tag having a second code uniquely identifiable by the at least one second electronic sensor, the at least one first toy add and the at least one second toy add-on configured such that when the second code is uniquely identified, the at least one second electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor external to the assembly that an electronic tag has been uniquely identified,
the assembly shaped to form a toy when combined with a toy core external to the assembly.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the toy is a non-biotic toy figure.
21. A method of making a toy-building system, comprising:
configuring at least one electronic tag with a code that is uniquely identifiable by at least one electronic sensor;
configuring a toy core with the at least one electronic sensor and with a processor;
configuring at least one toy add-on having the at least one electronic tag to be positioned on the toy core such that when the code of the at least one add-on is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor of the toy core, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor that the code has been uniquely identifed, the processor configured to determine from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly; and
configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising configuring the toy core and the at least one toy add-on such that when a user positions a first toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at a location on the toy core where a second toy add-on is configured to be placed, the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to the processor from which the processor is configured to determine that the first toy add-on has been incorrectly positioned.
23. A method used in building toys, comprising:
providing at least two different packages of toy add-ons, each of the toy add-ons in each of the packages of each kit having at least one electronic tag including a code configured to be uniquely identified by a toy core;
configuring each of the toy add-ons in each of the at least two different packages to be combined with the toy core using a particular building method such that a combination of the toy core with any of the different toy add-ons creates a different toy depending on which of the toy add-ons is used in the combination with the toy core,
wherein the particular building method involves combining a toy add-on to the toy core by putting the at least one electronic tag of a toy add-on either in proximity to or in contact with at least one electronic sensor of the toy core such that the at least one electronic tag is uniquely identified by the toy core.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising
providing a toy core having a processor and at least one electronic sensor;
configuring the at least one electronic sensor to send a signal to the processor when the code is uniquely identified by the at least one electronic sensor; and
configuring the processor to determine from the signal that a toy add-on has been correctly added.
25. A method of building a toy, comprising:
adding at least one toy add-on to a toy core by placing the at least one toy add-on in contact with or in proximity range of the toy core such that an electronic tag on the at least one toy add-on is uniquely identified by at least one electronic sensor on the toy core, such that the at least one electronic sensor sends a signal to a processor in the toy core, and such that the processor determines from the signal that at least one toy add-on has been added correctly, wherein the toy core and the at least one add-on are configured such that an outer shape of the toy core combined with an outer shape of the at least one toy add-on together comprise a toy.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising a user receiving an alert advising that the user has correctly placed the at least one add-on on the toy core.
27. The method of claim 25, further comprising configuring the processor to determine a correct placement of a toy add-on of the at least one toy add-on at least partly on the basis of a correct order of placement of the toy add-on.
PCT/IL2015/050067 2014-02-03 2015-01-20 Building toys using a toy core and toy add-ons WO2015114620A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US61/934,858 2014-02-03

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4869701A (en) * 1986-12-25 1989-09-26 Yamaha Corporation Electrical educational toy
US5334022A (en) * 1991-08-30 1994-08-02 Sony Corporation Auditory playing device
US6257948B1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-07-10 Hasbro, Inc. Talking toy with attachable encoded appendages
US6290565B1 (en) * 1999-07-21 2001-09-18 Nearlife, Inc. Interactive game apparatus with game play controlled by user-modifiable toy
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