Portable play-space for engaging users

A portable system is provided for engaging users during play by presenting one or more images provided by a mobile computing device. The system includes a projector configured to visually output the one or more images delivered by the computing device. The system also includes a mount for supporting the projector, and at least one lens that is coupled to the projector. The system further includes a housing having at least a first and second illuminable surface that can receive images projected by the projector. The surfaces can be moved between a collapsed condition and an operative condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent application relates generally to the field of portable play-space systems, and more particularly to systems for engaging users during play by presenting one or more images provided by mobile computing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's increasingly mobile society, parents continue to look for ways keep their children engaged while traveling away from home. Parents now frequently turn to mobile devices (e.g., cell phone, tablet computer) as a way to entertain children at home and while traveling. The ability for children to quickly switch between different types of media on a mobile device—including games, education activities, television, and movies—allows for hours of enjoyment. However, doctors have suggested mobile devices should not completely displace traditional learning and playing activities for children. In fact, too much time watching mobiles device and/or tablet screens—similar to watching television—is known to cause sleep disruption in children. Too much screen-watching has also been associated with delayed language development for younger children. Additionally, a child's ability to develop his or her tactile skills using a mobile device or tablet is limited, as the child cannot interact with the objects on the screen in three dimensions like he or she would with traditional toys or objects. As such, a young child's tactile skill development could also be delayed if he or she spends too much time watching a screen, and not enough time interacting with real-world objects.

The use of traditional toys allows children to interact with the toys physically, use their imagination, and prevents them from spending too much time in front of a screen. However, due to the wide variety of entertainment now available on mobile devices, children are oftentimes quickly bored by traditional toys and opt to play with a mobile device instead. Thus, it can be appreciated that a portable play-space that allows for the incorporation of traditional toys and videos and/or images is desired in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, a portable system is provided for engaging users during play by presenting one or more images provided by a mobile computing device. The system includes a projector configured to visually output the one or more images delivered by the computing device. The system also includes a mount for supporting the projector, and at least one lens that is coupled to the projector. The system further includes a housing having at least a first and second illuminable surface that can receive images projected by the projector. The surfaces can be moved between a collapsed condition and an operative condition.

When the housing is in the operative condition the illuminable surfaces can be generally orthogonal to one another and the one or more images are projected onto the surfaces by the projector using the lens. In addition, when in the operative condition, the mount can position the projector relative to the first and second surfaces such that the one or more images are projected onto the first and second surfaces with no more than a first prescribed amount of distortion. Moreover, the lens can focus at least one image onto the first and second illuminable surfaces when the first and second surfaces are in the operative condition.

According to another aspect, the mount supported by the housing and supporting the projector and the lens cooperate to position the projector relative to the first and second surface such that the one or more images are projected onto the surfaces via the lens with no more than a prescribed amount of distortion. According to another aspect, the mount can also be configured to position the projector relative to the surfaces such that images are projected onto the surfaces via the lens with no more than a prescribed amount of interference.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages can be appreciated from the accompanying description of certain embodiments of the disclosure and the accompanying drawing figures and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description, which references to and incorporates the drawings, describes and illustrates one or more specific embodiments. These embodiments, offered not to limit but only to exemplify and teach what is described, are shown and described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Thus, where appropriate, the description may omit certain information known to those of skill in the art.

By way of overview and introduction, herein is described a portable system for engaging users during play by presenting images to the user within a play-space. The images can be delivered by a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone or tablet device, coupled to a projector. The system includes a housing having multiple illuminable surfaces, and a mount that attaches to the housing and supports the projector while the system is in use. The projector is used to project the images (e.g., skins) that are provided by the mobile computing device onto the illuminable surfaces of the housing. The illuminable surfaces of the housing are arranged to provide an area for the user to play and present the images projected by the projector. The illuminable surfaces of the housing thereby serve as the background for the user's play-space.

The one or more images visually displayed by the projector can include but are not limited to static images and/or dynamically changing images such as animations or videos that are part of an electronic media file which is provided by the computing device. For instance, as shown inFIG. 3, the projector can project the static image of a forest F onto the surfaces of the housing103. This would allow the user to have the look and feel of a forest as the backdrop of his or her play-space thereby enhancing the user's experience. In addition or alternatively, as further described herein, the one or more images can include animations or videos that provide a changing landscape for the user while playing within the play-space, say, a storyboard from the user's favorite cartoon show or movie. It can also be appreciated that the computing device, which provides the image(s) to the projector for output, can also output a corresponding audio component thereby providing an audio-visual experience for the user. In some implementations, the scene provided by the computing device can change after a prescribed period of time and/or change the audio content played by the audio output device after a prescribed period of time. For example, the electronic media file can be configured such that the image and associated audio content changes to a different image with different audio content in one minute intervals. The number of different images or audio files and the intervals upon which they change can be individualized to fit the needs of the user.

According to a salient aspect, as further described herein, the housing is configured such that the housing can be transitioned between an operative condition and a collapsed condition. In the collapsed condition, the system is portable and can be easily transported and/or stored by the user in between uses.

According to another salient aspect, as further described herein, one or more of the various system components (e.g., the mount, projector and lenses) are configured and/or cooperate with one another to minimize the amount of image distortion when the images are projected on the illuminable surfaces of the housing. For example, the mount can be configured to position the projector relative to the first and second surfaces such that the image is projected onto the first and second surfaces by the lens with no more than a prescribed amount of distortion on respective surfaces. Similarly, one or more of the mount, projector and/or the lens can also be configured to minimize the amount of interference with the images (e.g., any shadowing of the projected image on the illuminable surfaces) while the user is playing within the play-space.

According to another salient aspect, in certain embodiments, user interactions with the computing device while accessing the play-space can be captured and used to augment the presentation of the images within the play-space, so as to provide an interactive and dynamically changing experience for the user. For example, the user can interact directly with the computing device and the interactions can cause the computing device to alter the scene being presented. In other implementations, the user's actions within the play-space can be detected by the computing device and the scene can be automatically changed based on those detected actions.

The Housing

FIG. 1Adepicts an exemplary configuration of the system for engaging users during play100. As shown inFIG. 1A, the housing103is in the operative condition and is shaped like a box. The housing has an open front side such that the user can access and use the interior120of the housing as a play-space (e.g., for playing with action figures, dolls, toys, and the like). The housing preferably has a size that is suitable for play with toys and action figures of various sizes, although smaller and larger housings are envisioned depending on the desired.

More specifically, the system for engaging users during play100shown inFIG. 1Aincludes a housing103having a plurality of walls with respective illuminable surfaces that are viewable from the interior120of the housing when in the operative condition. The illuminable surfaces include a first surface105(bottom wall135), a second surface107(back wall117), a third surface109(left side wall129), a fourth surface111(right side wall131), and a fifth surface113(top wall133).

As shown, each surface intersects with three other surfaces and are generally orthogonal to one another such that the walls of respective surfaces define a box shaped housing103having an open front side so as to allow the user to access the interior120of the housing (the “play-space”). In alternative embodiments, in the operative condition, the surfaces can be positioned at angles other than 90 degrees relative to each other depending on the needs of the user. For example, the third surface109and the fourth surface111can be positioned to create an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the second surface107, thereby creating a wider play-space on the interior of the housing and reducing the need to correct for disturtions on the third and fourth surfaces. Similarly, in some implementations, the fifth surface113can be positioned to create an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the second surface107(back wall117), thereby increasing the height of the play-space.

In alternative embodiments, the housing can have fewer than five illuminable surfaces and respective walls. For example, as shown inFIG. 1C, the housing203can include a bottom surface205and a back surface207that intersect to form an L shaped housing. By way of further example, as shown inFIG. 2, the housing can include a back surface227and a side surface229and a bottom surface225that intersect to form a three sided play-space. As would be understood by those in the art, the number of surfaces and relative position of the surfaces can vary depending on the needs of the user without departing from the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, although the housing illustrated inFIG. 1Adepicts surfaces that intersect with adjacent surfaces, configurations in which surfaces do not intersect are also possible.

As noted above, preferably, the housing is configured to be transitioned between a collapsed condition in which the system100is more easily transported or stored by the user, and an operative condition in which, 1) the play-space is accessible by the user, and 2) one or more images can be projected onto one or more of the illuminable surfaces.

In some implementations, the walls can be temporarily joined, permanently joined, or a combination of the foregoing, to the adjacent walls. Accordingly, when joined, the walls provide structural rigidity to the housing in the operative condition. It can be appreciated that walls configured to repeatedly detach and re-attach to one-another facilitates transitioning the housing103between the operative condition and the collapsed condition. In addition, the type of attachment between one or more adjacent walls can be flexible so as to facilitate transitioning the housing from the operative condition to the collapsed condition while remaining fixedly attached. The walls can be removably attached to one another in various ways known in the art, such as by hook and loop fasteners, push-button fasteners, clips, fasteners, slot and tab joints or other suitable temporary joining means. The walls can be fixedly attached to one another in various ways known in the art, such as by stitching, heat welding, glue or other adhesive, rivets, screws, fasteners, slot and tab joints or other suitable temporary or permanent joining means.

In some implementation, the back wall117, can be fixedly and flexibly joined to the adjacent walls (e.g., side walls131and129, bottom wall135, and top wall133), and the side walls, the bottom wall and the top wall can be temporarily joined to all other adjacent walls. Accordingly, the sides, bottom and top can be detached from any adjacent walls (other than the bottom wall) and can be folded onto the bottom wall into the collapsed condition.FIG. 1Bdepicts the exemplary housing103ofFIG. 1Ain a collapsed condition.

As shown inFIG. 1B, the housing103can also include a handle143to facilitate the carrying of the housing103by a user when the housing is in the collapsed condition. The handle143can be located on the outside of the housing103, preferably, on the outside of one of the walls. When the surfaces are in the collapsed condition, a user can use the handle143to carry the system100to a different location. In some implementations, the housing103can include multiple handles on the outside panel(s) of the surface(s) of the housing103.

Further, the system100can also include a strap145for holding the surfaces together when the surfaces are in the collapsed condition. In at least one embodiment, one end of the strap can be permanently attached to an outside surface of one of the walls, and the other end of the strap can be selectively attachable to an outside surface of another wall such that one end of all the surfaces of the housing103can be held in place by the strap145. Thus, the strap145prevents the surfaces from unfolding from the collapsed condition, allowing the user to carry the housing103to a different location more easily. For example, as shown inFIG. 1B, when the surfaces are in the collapsed condition, the left side wall129, right side wall131, and back wall117are sandwiched between the top wall133and the bottom wall135. As such, the strap145can be permanently attached on one end to the bottom wall135and can be removably attached to the outside of the second top surface, effectively holding all of the walls together in the collapsed condition such that they do not become unfolded during transport. The selectively attachable end of the strap145can attach to the outside of another surface of the housing103in various ways know in the art, such as by hook and loop fasteners, push-button fasteners, and the like. The housing103can also include a storage compartment or pouch for securing and protecting the projector and/or the mount during transport in the collapsed condition (not shown).

Turning briefly toFIG. 1C,FIG. 1Cdepicts an alternative configuration of a housing203in the operative condition. As shown, the housing can include first and second illuminable surfaces205and207, respectively that can be comprised of a flexible material that is attached to an exterior frame work255at one or more locations. For example, the first surface205can be attached to a central arm245and a front arm241of the framework255. Similarly, the second surface207can be attached to the central arm245and a top arm243. In the operative condition, top arm243and central arm245are also attached to side arms231and234and the front arm241and central arm245are attached to side arms232and233. Accordingly, as shown, the assembled framework255provides a housing in which the first surface205and the second surfaces207are orthogonal relative to one another.

In addition, the housing can be configured to transition from the operative condition to a collapsed condition by disassembling one or more pieces of the framework255and rolling the flexible first and second surfaces205and207into a collapsed condition. For example, side arms231-234can be detached from one or more of the arms241,243and/or245, such that the first and second surfaces205and207can be rolled onto each other into a collapsed condition. Alternative collapsible housing configurations would be understood by those in the art. For instance, as also shown inFIG. 1C, central arm245can consist of two arms attached together using a hinge265thereby providing a foldable housing203.

The Projector and Mount

Returning toFIG. 1A, the system for engaging users during play100includes a projector137configured to visually output images provided by the computing device250onto illuminable surfaces of the housing103when in the operative condition, though the projector can be provided separate from the housing. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the projector137projects the image of a forest F onto one or more illuminable surfaces of the housing103.

In one or more implementations, the projector137is a separate device communicatively coupled to the computing device250(not shown inFIG. 1A; seeFIG. 5). The projector137can be a pico projector device coupled to the computing device250using a wired or wireless connection. For example,FIG. 3shows the projector137connected to the computing device250via a wired connection. In an alternative embodiment, the display screen of the computing device250itself (e.g., the display of a smartphone or tablet computer) can be configured to act as the projector137.

In one or more embodiments, a mount141can be used to support and position the projector137such that the projector is stably mounted relative to the illuminable surfaces so as to output the one or more images onto one or more of the illuminable surfaces of the housing103when in the operative condition. In some implementations, the mount is supported by at least one wall of the housing103. The mount can be attached in any number of ways known in the art, for example, using a clamp. In one or more implementations, the mount141is detachable so that it can be easily moved to various locations on or within the housing103. Additionally, the mount141can be horizontally and/or vertically adjustable after attachment to the housing103such that the positioning of the projector137(e.g., location and/or angle of the projector137) can be changed relative to the illuminable surfaces. For example, the mount can include an articulating neck (as shown inFIG. 3) that supports the projector and allows the projector to be moved in multiple directions and rotated.

The mount141can position the projector137within the interior region of the housing, on the exterior of the housing, or a combination of the foregoing, namely, partially within the interior region while protruding exteriorly. As shown inFIG. 1A, the mount141is attached to the top wall133of the housing103. In the exemplary embodiment described inFIG. 1A, the top wall133and the fifth surface113can include an aperture115such that the projector137mounted on the exterior of the top wall133can project the image through the aperture115. As shown, projector137can display the one or more images through the aperture115and onto the first, second, third, and/or fourth surface (105,107,109,111) when the surfaces are in the operative condition.

The aperture115can be sized and shaped to fit the needs of the user. For example, the aperture115can be in the shape of a rectangle as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the aperture115can be shaped and sized to specifically fit a particular projector. The aperture115can also be located at any location on the fifth surface113. For instance, the aperture115can be centered on the fifth surface113such that the projector137can project one or more images on to the center of at least the first and/or second surfaces (105and107) as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the aperture115can be located near the third surface109such that the projector137can more easily project image(s) onto the fourth surface111or vice versa. For example,FIG. 3shows an alternative placement of the aperture and the mount.

In one or more implementations, the mount141can be attached to the housing such that the images outputted onto one or more of the surfaces by the projector and lens combination have no more than a first prescribed amount of distortion.FIG. 4depicts the housing ofFIG. 1A, and the projector137projecting an image of a grid onto the illuminable surfaces of the housing. If the grid image was projected directly at a flat wall that is perpendicular to the projector, the displayed grid image would have intersecting grid-lines that form right angles to one another with effectively no distortion. The grid displayed on the illuminable surfaces inFIG. 4which includes curved lines having varying radii, demonstrates characteristic image distortion that results from the particular positioning of the projector relative to the illuminable surfaces. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the mount141is configured to position the projector137in a manner that limits the amount of distortion of the image on at least two of the illuminable surfaces (e.g., back surface107and bottom surface105) to prescribed amount of distortion. As a result, the image projected as a backdrop has minimal distortion so as to provide a more realistic experience to the user playing within the play-space.

Additionally, in an implementation that includes at least a first, second, third, and fourth surface (e.g., bottom surface105, back surface107, and side surfaces109,111), the mount141can be positioned on the housing such that the image(s) outputted onto the side surfaces (i.e., third surface109and/or fourth surface111) have no more than a second prescribed amount of distortion (seeFIG. 4).

Similarly, in at least one embodiment, the mount141can be configured to position the projector137relative to the surface(s) of the housing such that the image(s) displayed onto the surface(s) has no more than a prescribed amount of interference (or “shadow effect”). Shadow effect occurs when a user is playing within the play-space, for example, using an action figure and the figure or the user's hands or arms blocks a portion of the image being projected onto one or more of the illuminable surfaces. Accordingly, the mount141can be positioned and configured to orients the projector137relative to the one or more illuminable surfaces to minimize the amount of shadowing effect that occurs when a user is playing within the play-space.

The projector137can also include or be coupled to at least one lens139. As would be understood by those in the art, the one or more lens139can be used to focus the image(s) output by the projector137onto the illuminable surface(s) of the housing103when the surface(s) are in the operative condition. Furthermore, the one or more lens139can be shaped in a way that limits the distortion of the image on one or more of the surface(s) of the housing103. For instance, the radius of curvature of the lens can be defined, based on the intended position of the lens relative to the first surface105and the second surface107(e.g., back and bottom surfaces) once the projector is seated in the mount, to project the portion of the image on the respective surfaces with optimal distortion characteristics (i.e., minimal distortion).

By way of further example and without limitation, the lens can have portions with respective radii of curvature that are defined, based on the position of the lens relative to a respective surface that the particular portion of the lens is designed to project the image onto, so as to project a portion of the image on the respective surfaces with less distortion than an image projected with a conventional lens having a single radius of curvature.

In addition or alternatively, the system can include a plurality of lenses such that each is configured to focus at least a portion of the one or more images on one or more of the respective surface when in the operative condition. For example, a multi-lens system can project the image onto the one or more illuminable surfaces from different angles so as to minimize for distortion or shadowing effect.

The Computing Device

FIG. 5is a high-level diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a computing device250for use in conjunction with the system for engaging users during play100. The computing device can be a personal computing device of a user, a laptop computer, or a mobile device/smartphone, though it should be understood that computing device250can be practically any computing device and/or data processing apparatus capable of embodying the systems and/or methods described herein. In one arrangement, computing device includes a processor310that serves to execute instructions to perform various operations relating to the system for engaging users during play100. The computing device also includes persistent storage390and/or memory320to store electronic media files, which include the one or more digital image(s) and/or associated audio files. Computing device250can also be configured to communicate the electronic media files to the projector137for presentation and can also receive information from one or more remote computing devices using the communication interface350. Computing device250can also be configured to collect (and/or display) inputs from one or more users via a user interface device340, such as a keypad or touch-screen input as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

In certain implementations, the memory320and/or a storage medium390can include one or more software modules330that comprise one or more software programs or applications having computer program code or a set of instructions executed in the processor310. Such computer program code or instructions for carrying out operations for aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein. The program code can execute entirely on the computing device250as a stand-alone software package, partly on the computing device250and partly on a remote computing device, such as the projector137, or entirely on such remote devices. In the latter scenario, the remote device can be connected to the computing device250through any type of wired or wireless connection or network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Preferably, included among the software modules330are a playback module332, a user interface module334, and a communication module336that are executed by the processor310. More specifically, during execution of the playback module332, the processor is configured to select and provide one or more components of a stored electronic media file to the user via an associated output devices including the projector137and/or an audio output (not shown). During execution of the user interface module334, the processor is configured to receive user inputs via the user interface340, interpret the user input and adjust playback of the electronic media file(s) accordingly. During execution of the communication module336, the processor is configured to communicate with appropriate peripheral devices (e.g., the projector137).

As noted above, the electronic media file can include one or more digital images for display by the projector137, including but not limited to, static images and/or dynamically changing images such as animations or videos. For instance, as shown inFIG. 3, the projector can project the static image of the forest F onto the surfaces of the housing103. In addition or alternatively, the one or more images can include animations or videos that provide a intermittently or constantly changing landscape for the user while playing within the play-space, say, a storyboard from the user's favorite cartoon show or movie. It can also be appreciated that the computing device250, which provides the image(s) to the projector137for output, can also output a corresponding audio component thereby providing an audio-visual experience for the user.

In some implementations, the scene provided by the computing device can change after a prescribed period of time and/or change the audio content played by the audio output device after a prescribed period of time. For example, the electronic media file can be configured such that the image and associated audio content changes to a different image with different audio content in one minute intervals. The number of different images or audio files and the intervals upon which they change can be individualized to fit the needs of the user.

In at least one implementation, the computing device can include an associated input device340, which allows the user to select or change the image/video content being displayed on the surface(s) of the housing. More specifically, the processor121of the computing device250, which is configured by executing one or more software modules330, including, preferably, the user interface module334and the playback module332, can receive user inputs via the input device340. Based on the user inputs, the configured processor can select one or more electronic media files, or components of a particular electronic media file, to be output to the user via the projector137and/or the audio output device.

In some implementations, the user can select a particular scene for display via the projector137. In some implementations, based on the user input, the configured processor can dynamically augment the displayed scene by presenting additional visual elements on the illuminable surfaces or cause another audio file to be played, or a combination of the foregoing. For example, the user tapping the user interface340can cause a new character to appear within the scene, or can cause a noise to be output or a combination of the foregoing. In this manner a user input can create a dynamically changing and interactive scene for the user to experience.

User interface340can be configured to receive active inputs, for instance, direct taps to the smartphone screen. In addition or alternatively, user inputs can be received passively through passive input devices such as motion detectors. For instance, user interface340can include a motion detector that is mounted to the housing (e.g.,103) and is configured to detect user hand position, orientation, gestures and the like within the play-space. Upon a user moving their hand, or an action figure to the edge of the play-space (e.g., towards left-side illuminable surface109) the received hand-position can cause the configured processor to advance the scene as if the user was walking in the direction of the left side of the scene. Alternative methods of interpreting user actions within the play-space and augmenting the user experience through visual and audio adaptations to the scene being provided to the user would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The electronic media files and/or the computing device250can also be configured to minimize the amount of distortion of the images that are projected on the illuminable surface(s) of the housing. Specifically, in one or more embodiments, the electronic media file which is configured by executing one or more of the software modules330including, preferably, the playback module332, can cause the processor310to output the one or more images in a manner than reduces the amount of distortion on one or more of the surfaces. For example, the configured processor can dynamically adjust the digital images provided to the projector137to compensate for distortion such that the images are projected onto the one or more illuminable surfaces with minimal distortion. In an alternative implementation, the electronic media file itself can include pre-adjusted images to compensate for the distortion that would typically occur when projecting a standard image onto the one or more surfaces. In this last alternative implementation, the electronic media files are matched to the housing and mount to cause a minimally distorted image to be projected by the projector onto the illuminable surfaces, and differ from a source image or video in that the so-matched media file has an embedded distortion which renders the image unsuitable for viewing on surfaces other than the illuminable surfaces.

It is to be understood that like numerals in the drawings represent like elements through the several figures, and that not all components and/or steps described and illustrated with reference to the figures are required for all embodiments or arrangements. It should also be understood that certain embodiments, implementations, and/or arrangements of the systems disclosed herein can be incorporated as a software algorithm, application, program, module, or code residing in hardware, firmware and/or on a computer useable medium (including software modules and browser plug-ins) that can be executed in a processor of a computer system or a computing device to configure the processor and/or other elements to perform the functions and/or operations described herein. It should be appreciated that according to at least one embodiment, one or more computer programs, modules, and/or applications that when executed perform methods of the present disclosure need not reside on a single computer or processor, but can be distributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computers or processors to implement various aspects of the systems disclosed herein.