Method and apparatus for facilitating communication between a user and a toy

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/803,250, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A USER AND A TOY, filed Mar. 9, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for facilitating communication between a user and a toy and, more particularly, to the use of radio frequency tags in facilitating such communication.

0003With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a convention apparatus <b>10</b> is shown which facilitates communication between a base <b>12</b> and a toy <b>14</b> to facilitate a semi-interactive play experience for a child (not shown). The base <b>12</b> includes a microprocessor <b>16</b>, an audio circuit <b>18</b> and a query circuit <b>20</b>. The toy <b>14</b> includes a responder <b>22</b>. In operation, the query circuit <b>20</b> outputs a pulse signal, usually in the radio frequency spectrum, that is received by the responder <b>22</b> of the toy <b>14</b>. The responder <b>22</b> produces a response signal, also in the radio frequency spectrum, in response to the pulse signal from the query circuit <b>20</b> of the base <b>12</b>. The query circuit <b>20</b> is further operable to detect the response signal from the responder <b>22</b> and to provide an indication to the microprocessor <b>16</b> of the proximity of the toy <b>14</b>. When the microprocessor <b>16</b> receives an indication of the proximity of the toy <b>14</b>, it commands the audio circuit <b>18</b> to produce an audible signal directed to the child.

0004Unfortunately, the conventional method and apparatus suffers from a number of disadvantages, e.g., the audible signals issued from the audio circuit <b>18</b> of the base <b>12</b> bear no relationship to the relative positions of the child and the toy <b>14</b>. Rather, the audible signals from the base <b>12</b> are a function of the relative positions of between the toy <b>14</b> and the base <b>12</b>. This severely limits the scope of interactive play between the child and the toy <b>14</b>. Further, there is no relationship between the audio signal from the base <b>12</b> and the surroundings in which the base <b>12</b>, the toy <b>14</b>, and the child are located. Indeed, the only variable that affects the audible signal issued by the audio circuit <b>18</b> is the proximity and/or orientation of the toy <b>14</b> with respect to the base <b>12</b>.

0005Accordingly, it would be desirable to employ new methods and/or apparatuses for facilitating communication between a user, for example a child, and a toy which take into account the proximity of the user to the toy and/or the surroundings in which the user and toy are located, thereby greatly expanding the range of interactive play enjoyed by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0006In accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes: at least one mobile item operable to be carried by a user and including a radio frequency tag operable to produce an answer electromagnetic wave in response to a query electromagnetic wave; and a toy including a query circuit and an interaction circuit, the query circuit being operable to emit the query electromagnetic wave and receive the answer electromagnetic wave, and the interaction circuit being operable to select an output perceptible by the user based on the answer electromagnetic wave.

0007In accordance with at least one further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes: a plurality of radio frequency tags operable to a query electromagnetic wave; and a toy including a query circuit and an interaction circuit, the query circuit being operable to emit the query electromagnetic wave and receive one or more of the answer electromagnetic waves, and the interaction circuit being operable to select an output perceptible by a user based on which of the one or more answer electromagnetic waves are received.

0008In accordance with at least one still further aspect of the present invention, a method includes: providing at least one mobile item operable to be carried by a user and emit an answer electromagnetic wave in response to receiving a query electromagnetic wave; providing a toy operable to emit the query electromagnetic wave and receive the answer electromagnetic wave; and selecting an output to issue from the toy that is perceptible by the user based on the answer electromagnetic wave.

0009Other features, aspects, advantages and the like with become apparent to one skilled in the art when the disclosure herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0010For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a conventional apparatus for facilitating communication between a base and a toy in accordance with the prior art;

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a method and/or apparatus for facilitating communication between a user and a toy in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention;

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an example of circuitry which may be employed to facilitate the communication between the user and the toy in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus and/or method of facilitating communication between one or more users and a toy and/or one or more locations in which the user(s) and toy may be deposed in accordance with one or more further aspects of the present invention; and

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the process steps that may be carried out in accordance with the invention shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2, 3</figref>, or <b>4</b>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of an apparatus <b>100</b> suitable for facilitating communication between a user <b>102</b>, such as a child, and a toy <b>104</b> in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The apparatus <b>100</b> preferably includes at least one mobile item <b>106</b> having an RF tag <b>108</b>, and the toy <b>104</b>, which includes an interaction circuit <b>110</b> and a query circuit <b>130</b>. The one or more mobile items <b>106</b> may take on any suitable form, where a piece of apparel is most preferred, such as a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, a glove, a belt, a hat, a pair of glasses, etc.

0017The one or more mobile items <b>106</b> are preferably operable to be carried by the user <b>102</b> and the RF tag <b>108</b> is preferably operable to produce an “answer” electromagnetic wave in response to receiving a “query” electromagnetic wave from the query circuit <b>130</b> of the toy <b>104</b>. The RF tag <b>108</b> may be implemented utilizing any of the known technologies, such as the use of a RF transponder having an antenna, rectification power supply, logic/memory, a receiver, and an oscillator. Additional details concerning this type of RF tag <b>108</b> may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,632, entitled SINGLE CHIP RF TAG OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT SYNCHRONIZED BY BASE STATION MODULATION FREQUENCY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the RF tag <b>108</b> may be implemented utilizing resonant LC circuitry, Which is significantly less complex. Additional details concerning the use of resonant RF tags may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,470, entitled OBJECT RECOGNITION SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

0018The query circuit <b>130</b> is preferably operative to produce the query electromagnetic wave either periodically or otherwise such that when the mobile item <b>106</b> comes within sufficient proximity to the toy <b>104</b>, the query circuit <b>130</b> is operable to receive the answer electromagnetic wave issued from the RF tag <b>108</b>. The interaction circuit <b>110</b> is preferably operable to select and issue an output that is perceptible by the user <b>102</b> and that is based on the answer electromagnetic wave. By way of example, the toy <b>104</b> may be a stuffed animal, e.g., a teddy bear, and the interaction circuit <b>110</b> may be operable to issue an audible output based on an answer electromagnetic wave issued by the RF tag <b>108</b>. When the user <b>102</b>, carrying the mobile item <b>106</b>, comes sufficiently close to the toy <b>104</b>, for example, when the user <b>102</b> enters a room in which the toy <b>104</b> is located, the query circuit <b>130</b> may issue a query electromagnetic wave causing the RF tag <b>108</b> to issue an answer electromagnetic wave. The query circuit <b>130</b> may then provide an indication to the interaction circuit <b>110</b> that an answer electromagnetic wave was received. In response, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> may issue an appropriate audible output, for example, “Teddy would love a hug.” As the interaction circuit <b>110</b> would not issue the audible output until the user <b>102</b>, carrying the mobile item <b>106</b>, came within proximity to the toy <b>104</b>, it would appear that the toy <b>104</b> issued the audible output in response to the user <b>102</b> himself. Advantageously, this yields enjoyable interactive play between the user <b>102</b> and the toy <b>104</b>.

0019With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, additional details concerning the query circuit <b>130</b> and interaction circuit <b>110</b> will now be described. The query circuit <b>130</b> preferably includes a send circuit <b>132</b> operable to produce the query electromagnetic wave, and a sense circuit <b>134</b> operable to receive the answer electromagnetic wave. Any of the known circuit topologies and/or techniques may be employed in implementing the send circuit <b>132</b> and the sense circuit <b>134</b>. As illustrated, the send circuit <b>132</b> and the sense circuit <b>134</b> includes an antenna <b>132</b>A, <b>134</b>A, respectively, it being understood that a single antenna may be employed when suitable circuit techniques are used.

0020The interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably includes a microprocessor <b>112</b> operating under the control of a suitable software program. The interaction circuit <b>110</b> also preferably includes a memory <b>114</b>, a power supply <b>116</b>, an output circuit <b>118</b>, and one or more output transducers <b>120</b>. The memory <b>114</b> is preferably operable to store the software program mentioned above and/or a plurality of selectable outputs, which will be described in more detail hereinbelow. The power supply <b>116</b> is preferably operable to supply operating voltage and current to the various circuits within the toy <b>104</b>, it being most preferred that the power supply <b>116</b> is controllable by the microprocessor <b>112</b> to selectively supply the operating voltage and current to at least some of the circuits. The output circuit <b>118</b> is preferably operable to convert a signal issued by the microprocessor <b>112</b> that corresponds to the selected output into another signal suitable for driving the one or more output transducers <b>120</b>. For example, the output transducers <b>120</b> may include at least one of an audio transducer (such as a speaker); a visual transducer (such as one or more lights, a video display, etc.); a tactile transducer (such as a vibrating element, a heating element, a cooling element, etc.); and a mechanical transducer (such as a motorized element or elements directed to movement of the toy <b>104</b>). Depending on the type and number of output transducers <b>120</b>, the output circuit <b>118</b> includes the necessary circuitry for driving such transducers <b>120</b>. Any of the known circuit configurations and/or techniques may be employed in implementing the output circuit <b>118</b>.

0021In accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, the memory <b>114</b> preferably stores a plurality of outputs selectable by the microprocessor <b>112</b>. For example, the selectable outputs may include a plurality of phrases that, when issued as audible signals from the output transducer <b>120</b> (such as a speaker), result in suitable interactive play between the user <b>102</b> and the toy <b>104</b>. In accordance with at least one further aspect of the present invention, a plurality of mobile items <b>106</b> are preferably employed, where each mobile item <b>106</b> includes a separate RF tag <b>108</b>, such as RF tag <b>1</b>, RF tag <b>2</b>, . . . RF tag N. The respective RF tags <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, . . . N are preferably operable to issue differing answer electromagnetic waves that are distinguishable by the sense circuit <b>134</b> and/or the microprocessor <b>112</b>. Irrespective of whether one or many mobile items <b>106</b> are employed, the microprocessor <b>112</b> is preferably operable to select one of the plurality of selectable outputs (such as a particular phrase) corresponding to the received answer electromagnetic wave. When a plurality of mobile items <b>106</b> are employed, the output issued by the output transducer <b>120</b> may be dependent on which of the one or more mobile items <b>106</b> came within proximity of the toy <b>104</b>.

0022By way of illustration, if the memory <b>114</b> includes two selectable phrases, namely, phrase 1: “Hello mommy;” and phrase 2: “Hello daddy,” the software program may be implemented such that the microprocessor <b>112</b> selects phrase 1 when the answer electromagnetic wave issued by RF tag <b>1</b> is received by the sense circuit <b>134</b> and/or selects phrase 2 when the answer electromagnetic wave issued from RF tag <b>2</b> is received by the sense circuit <b>134</b>. Thus, the user <b>102</b> may select one or more of the mobile items <b>106</b> to suit his or her desires for interactive play. Alternatively, more than one user <b>102</b> may take part in the interactive play, where one of the users <b>102</b> possesses a first mobile item <b>106</b> and another user <b>102</b> possess a second mobile item <b>106</b>.

0023In accordance with at least one further aspect of the present invention, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> is preferably operable to associate a user defined output with one or more answer electromagnetic waves such that the interaction circuit <b>110</b> is operable to select the user defined output based on receiving the associated answer electromagnetic wave. For example, the user <b>102</b> may be prompted by the interaction circuit <b>110</b> as to which of phrases 1 and 2 (i.e., a user defined phrase) should be associated with the answer electromagnetic wave issued from the first mobile item <b>106</b> and from the second mobile item <b>106</b>, respectively.

0024Alternatively, when only one mobile item <b>106</b> is employed, the user <b>102</b> may be prompted to select which one or more stored phrases should be issued by the output transducer <b>120</b> in response to the answer electromagnetic wave received from that mobile item <b>106</b>.

0025In accordance with at least one further aspect of the invention, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> is preferably operable to receive a user defined phrase from the user <b>102</b> and associate the user defined phrase with one or more of the answer electromagnetic waves, specified by the user <b>102</b>. For example, the microprocessor <b>112</b> may be operable to receive the user defined phrase through a port <b>122</b> (e.g., a data port) or through the output transducer <b>120</b> (e.g., a speaker operating as a microphone) and to store the user defined phrase in the memory <b>114</b> for selection when the associated answer electromagnetic wave is received. By way of illustration, the user <b>102</b> may input his or her name (i.e., a user defined phrase) into the interaction circuit <b>110</b> such that the toy <b>104</b> greets the user <b>102</b> by name.

0026In accordance with at least one further aspect of the present invention, the microprocessor <b>112</b> is preferably operable to turn on certain portions of the interaction circuit <b>110</b> in response to the detection of an answer electromagnetic wave. For example, the power supply <b>116</b> may supply sufficient “stand by” power for the send circuit <b>132</b> and sense circuit <b>134</b> to perform their functions from time to time, but not supply power to other portions of the interaction circuit <b>110</b>, such as the memory <b>114</b>, the output circuit <b>118</b>, the output transducers <b>120</b>, etc. When an answer electromagnetic wave is received by the sense circuit <b>134</b>, however, the microprocessor <b>112</b> is preferably operable to signal the power supply <b>116</b> to provide power to the other circuits in order to facilitate issuing an output from the one or more output transducers <b>120</b> that is perceptible by the user <b>102</b>. Advantageously, this can conserve power and prolong use of the toy <b>104</b>.

0027Reference is now made to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, which is a block diagram illustrating one or more further aspects of the present invention. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates an apparatus <b>200</b> including a plurality of RF tags. <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, . . . N, preferably disposed at different locations A, B, etc.; at least one toy <b>104</b>, such as that shown and described hereinabove with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>; and at least one further RF tag <b>108</b> in the possession one or more users <b>102</b>, preferably within one or more mobile items <b>106</b>.

0028With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>, a flow diagram is shown illustrating process actions that may take place in accordance with the invention shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. When the process has started, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably makes a determination as to whether any RF tag is in proximity to the toy <b>104</b> (action <b>300</b>). If no RF tag is in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b>, the process flow loops back to action <b>300</b> until an RF tag is detected. At that point, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably determines which of the one or more RF tags are in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b>. This may be carried out in parallel (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) or serially without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably determines whether RF tag <b>1</b> is in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b> (action <b>302</b>) if so, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably stores information indicating that the RF tag <b>1</b> is present (action <b>304</b>). If RF tag <b>1</b> is not in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b>, then the process flow moves to action <b>306</b>. Similar determinations are made as to whether RF tag <b>2</b> is in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b> (e.g., actions <b>308</b>, <b>310</b>) and whether other RF tags, such as RF tag N is in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b> (e.g., actions <b>312</b>, <b>314</b>).

0029The interaction circuit <b>110</b> is preferably capable of discriminating between the plurality of RF tags <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, . . . N from the plurality of locations A, B, . . . N and/or the plurality of mobile items <b>106</b> using any of the known techniques. For example, each RF tag may issue an answer electromagnetic wave at a slightly different frequency in response to the query electromagnetic wave. Thus, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> may discriminate between the frequencies of the answer electromagnetic waves in determining whether a particular RF tag is in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b>. Alternatively, the answer electromagnetic waves may include a unique code identifying the RF tag from which it is issued and the interaction circuit <b>110</b> may discriminate between the RF tags based on the extraction of the unique codes from the received answer electromagnetic waves. In either of these two cases, or using any other known technique, the interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably stores information as to whether one or more of the RF tags are in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b>. By way of example, this may achieved by the microprocessor <b>112</b> assigning (e.g., tagging, creating, etc.) an index number, e.g., <b>001</b>, <b>002</b>, . . . <b>00</b>N when the sense circuit <b>134</b> provides an indication that a particular answer electromagnetic wave has been received. The index number may then be stored in memory <b>114</b> for later reference.

0030The interaction circuit <b>110</b> is preferably operable to select an output perceptible by the one or more users <b>102</b> in response to answer electromagnetic wave(s) received from one or more of the plurality of RF tags <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, . . . N (such as from locations A, B, . . . N and/or mobile items <b>106</b>). It is most preferred that the interaction circuit <b>110</b> select an output, such as a phrase, that includes characteristics that correspond to one or more of the locations, A, B, . . . and/or N, from which the answer electromagnetic wave(s) are received. For example, the locations A, B, . . . N may represent rooms in the home of the user <b>102</b>, such as a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, a family room, a bedroom, a bathroom, a basement, a garage, a foyer, an attic, a hallway, etc. When RF tag <b>1</b> is dispose at location A, for example, a kitchen, the answer electromagnetic wave issued by the RF tag <b>1</b> preferably includes information identifying location A as such, e.g., by way of unique code or-frequency of oscillation. When RF tag <b>2</b> is disposed at location B, a bedroom, the answer electromagnetic wave issued by the RF tag <b>2</b> preferably includes information identifying location B as such, etc. The interaction circuit <b>110</b> preferably selects an appropriate output from among the plurality of stored outputs based on which RF tags are present. In particular, the microprocessor <b>112</b> may retrieve the stored index number(s) from the memory <b>114</b> indicating which of RF tags were found to be in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b>. An appropriate output may then be selected by the microprocessor <b>112</b> based on the index numbers.

0031By way of example, index number <b>001</b> may be associated with location A, e.g., the kitchen; index number <b>002</b> may be associated with location B, e.g., the bedroom, etc. When the microprocessor <b>112</b> determines that an RF tag of a mobile item <b>106</b> is in the vicinity of the toy <b>104</b> and that RF tag <b>1</b> of location A (e.g., the kitchen) has been sensed (e.g., actions <b>302</b>, <b>304</b>), then the microprocessor <b>112</b> may select the phrase “Its time for breakfast” (action <b>306</b>). Alternatively, when the microprocessor <b>112</b> determines that RF tag <b>2</b> of location B (e.g., the bedroom) has been sensed (e.g., actions <b>308</b>, <b>310</b>), then the microprocessor <b>112</b> may preferably select the phrase “Its time for bed.” Still further, when the RF tag of the mobile item <b>106</b> has been associated with a particular user defined phrase (such as the user's name), the microprocessor <b>112</b> may be operable to select the phrase “John, its time for bed.”

0032When the selection of the appropriate output is complete (action <b>306</b>), then the process loops back to action <b>300</b>.

0033It will be apparent to the skilled artisan having read the disclosure herein that many differing combinations of RF tags, mobile items <b>106</b>, users <b>102</b>, toys <b>104</b>, and outputs may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

0034Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.