Abstract:
A toy or game play apparatus or method involving a powered host such as a doll or a tablet which operates interactively in a mode of play with one or more non-powered play objects. The host has a preprogrammed microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit. Each play object has a RFID tag IC. Each tag IC has a memory holding digital data that includes at least ID information different from that of the other play objects. When the host and a play object are positioned so as to afford RF communication between them, the host can send power to energize the tag IC of the play object. This causes the tag IC to transmit data including at least its ID information back to the host. The host recognizes that transmitted data and makes a presentation in accordance with the mode of play to the user caused by that transmitted data. In one mode the play objects may have a variable aspect, and the host determines and makes a user presentation based on the then current state of the variable aspect.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    Toys and games utilizing RFID (radio frequency identification).  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Toys are known which can respond to radio frequency signals, e.g., toy vehicles having radio frequency transmitting remote control units. Such toys typically respond to simple signals as for “forward”, “stop” and “reverse” functions. They require batteries in both the toy and transmitter.  
           [0003]    RFID (radio frequency identification) transponder technologies are known in the prior art and used in retail store environments to sound an alert when products for which payment has not been made are removed from the premises, and in other detection systems such as automated toll collection systems for highways, bridges and tunnels, e.g. “EZ Pass”.  
           [0004]    RFID electronic components, “reader/interrogator” and “tag”, circuits, are presently available in small, IC packages from several semiconductor vendors such as Philips, Motorola, Texas Instruments, Microchip, and Atmel, to name just a few suppliers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0005]    In accordance with the disclosure, contactless identification of objects by toy dolls and other toys can be achieved through the use of RF (radio frequency) transponders. A master/host/server toy or game unit can identify and recognize something that is placed within range of the host without any physical or mechanical contact through the application of RFID technology. Objects to be recognized and identified by the master/host/server toy or game unit need only contain a small RFID tag transponder integrated circuit chip (tag IC) and a suitable RF antenna. Such objects do not require a self-contained battery or other power source to be recognized. No optical code (e.g. bar code), invisible ink, ultraviolet or infrared ink is required, nor is mechanical or physical contact necessary between the recognizing toy and object to be recognized.  
           [0006]    The master/host/server toy or game unit is also referred to herein as the main or first play object. The objects are also referred to herein as play objects or second lay objects. Objects in range are also referred to as in a localized detection region.  
           [0007]    Tag ICs, while all operating at the same frequency, can respond differently from one another when interrogated by an appropriately programmed master/host/server toy or game unit. The tag ICs transmit and receive information in the form of data bit streams to and from the master/host/server toy or game unit. The tag ICs receive their operating power from the RF energy transmitted by the master/host/server at the same time as data exchange occurs.  
           [0008]    In addition to a toy or game master/host/server reading an object&#39;s identity or specific identification information from its tag IC chip, tag IC chips can receive information in the form of many digital bits written back and stored indefinitely in non-volatile writeable memory onboard the tag IC chip. There is programming in at least the master unit for bidirectional RF transmission between the master unit and the object. This feature enables the creation of a form of kid&#39;s money, or a portable store of value, that can be held, transferred, traded, or otherwise exchanged with compatible devices such as trading cards or “play money” which contain read/writeable RFID tag ICs containing non-volatile, electrically reprogrammable memory bits, utilizing appropriately programmed master/host/server toy or game units containing an RFID reader/interrogator circuit and suitable antenna.  
           [0009]    This feature also could be used with a doll to simulate the current state, status or condition of a variable aspect or feature of an object, and changes in that state. That variable aspect could be a variable virtual play substance or a resource, such as pretend milk in a toy milk bottle given to the doll. When a child presents a “full” milk bottle with an RFID tag IC inside it programmed as “full”, then the doll can simulate drinking the milk, and the master/host/server can gradually reprogram the RFID tag IC in the milk bottle to be less and less full, as indicated by the setting of some selected data bits in the milk bottle RFID tag IC memory, via the rewriteable feature. The doll could indicate to or make a presentation to the child-user of a play characteristic derived from the then current condition of the variable aspect or virtual play substance. The indicated play characteristic could be simply an indication of the current amount or state of the play substance, or it could be a response to such current state. Such response could indicate (1) play hunger, thirst or satiation, (2) play wealth or poverty, or (3) play accumulation or depletion of resources, and the like. For example, when the milk bottle is “empty” the doll could possibly cry and ask for more milk. Then the toy milk bottle could be taken over to a different master/host/server toy, perhaps in the form of a cow or a dairy, so as to be “refilled” by way of having the selected data memory bits of the milk bottle RFID tag IC be reprogrammed accordingly.  
           [0010]    Other possible variable virtual play substances may include (1) other play food or drink, (2) play money, (3) documents evidencing property ownership of the host, (4) resources transferred to the host for storage, (5) resources transferred to the host for transfer to another play object.  
           [0011]    Change or variation in the variable aspect or variable virtual play substance may be provided in several ways. The play object memory may be rewritable, so that data regarding the variable aspect or play substance is in fact changed or substituted in the memory. Alternatively, using a writeable memory, a series of data may be successively added to the memory incident to the intercommunication and play between the host and the play object. The host would then look to the most recently added data to determine the then current state of the variable aspect or play substance.  
           [0012]    A trading card, or a flash card, or other small object, can be provided with an embedded RFID tag chip and suitable antenna loop or coil, factory programmed with specific bits of read-only data in the tag IC memory. This card can be recognized by a talking doll, for example, that can then recite information about the card. The information can exceed that printed on the card and, for example, can contain secret information about the card that can only be accessed by a master/host/server toy or game unit. A doll can then recognize and recite information about the trading card. In other words, at least some of the recited information may be stored on the card. Possibly most or even all of the recited information may be stored on the card. This can greatly minimize the requirement on the doll memory to store such recited information.  
           [0013]    A tag IC with a suitable small antenna loop or coil can also be placed inside a small plastic figure, such as an action figure molded from plastic, that can be recognized by the doll or a reader device.  
           [0014]    Such master/host/server toy or game units can play games such as spelling games, arithmetic games, shape recognition games, and other games. Master/host/server toy or game units can be employed to recognize trading cards and other two and three dimensioned collectibles. A master/host/server toy or game unit can act on a tag IC in a collectible to change its data thereby selectively making it compatible or incompatible with other master/host/server toy or game units, thereby providing the ability to “catch” or “collect” a specific object or flash or trading card by a specific owner, after which it cannot be caught or collected by another, unless the owner agrees to trade it electronically to another owner, using the master/host/server toy or game controller.  
           [0015]    It is desirable that the master unit and the play object have appearances that are consistent or compatible with a mode of play. For example, FIG. 1 shows the master unit as a mommy doll and the play object as a baby doll. They are consistent or compatible with a mode of play characterized by interaction between mother and child. A baker or cook in a white coat and hat would not be compatible with a rifle or a lawn mower. Further, the indication or presentation to the child-user based on data derived from the object should be supportive of play in accordance with the mode of play. For example, the baker doll might say “we are low on sugar” in response to that variable aspect of a play can of sugar, but would not say “we are low on ammunition” or even “the sky is blue”.  
           [0016]    Some toys or games could be more focused on a specific play theme and presentations that would further that theme. For example the master unit could appear as a mommy doll and the play object could appear as a baby doll with a tricycle; the theme would be learning to ride the tricycle.  
           [0017]    The illustrated apparatus may also be characterized and described as follows:  
           [0018]    Play apparatus comprising:  
           [0019]    first and second play objects having appearance consistent with a mode of play between such objects and respectively comprising;  
           [0020]    first and second wireless RFID information tranceivers, said second transceiver being non-self powered, the first and the second transcievers each positionable for remote mutual digital date-transmission contact;  
           [0021]    first and second circuits operating first and second programs;  
           [0022]    a writable memory in the second play object for holding digital data, means in the first play object, controlled by the first program, for writing to and reading from the memory in the second play object with which the first play object is in data-transmission contact, through their transceivers; and  
           [0023]    means in the first play object, controlled by the first program and by the written or read data, for indicating to a user information for implementing play by the user with the objects in accordance with said mode of play. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one type of toy which can serve as a master/host/server toy in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another type of toy which can serve as a master/host/server toy in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a functional schematic block diagram of a master/host/server toy and the objects which it is intended to sense in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3A is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3B is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3A.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3C is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3A, with a modification.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of still another preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4A. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    In a first embodiment of the invention, RFID technology is used to make a doll appear to “see” flash cards or other objects, recognize them by name, and engage in play activity with them.  
         [0032]    For example, in a “shape” game, the doll asks a child to show or give the doll a specific shape, such as “the blue square” or “the red triangle”. The doll has a small loop antenna inside a hollow cavity in the chest area, so that as flash cards or objects are presented to the doll to “hold in its arms”, a master/host/server toy or game unit program can detect them and respond with a voice in the appropriate manner.  
         [0033]    Furthermore, the sensing coil antenna of the master/host/server contained in the doll, can be located in different places, such as the head, or in a hand or foot, to localize the region where the target object will be detected.  
         [0034]    In addition, the doll could include not just one, but multiple sensing antennae coils, located in various places on the doll, and which are switched on and off by control of the host microprocessor system. Such locations could include a coil in each hand of the doll, a coil in each foot, a coil in the doll&#39;s head, and a coil in the doll&#39;s abdominal cavity. Such a doll could play games with multiple objects, but might also play games with a single object by directing the user to sequentially position that object at different antenna, and recognizing and reporting back to the user as to the success or failure of each attempted positioning.  
         [0035]    In conjunction with the selectively switching of the active antenna coil, the doll could ask the child to place a specific object in the doll&#39;s right hand, or in its left hand, for example.  
         [0036]    Utilizing a voice synthesizer, the doll can ask for specific shapes to be given to it, and then for them to be taken away, one at a time, with responses given as to whether each correct shape was provided.  
         [0037]    Objects presented to the doll can have numbers or spelling words which can be enunciated by an electronic voice synthesizer in the doll. The master/host/server toy or game unit can make animal sounds or other sound effects corresponding to a picture card or sculpture of a presented animal or other sound effect such as a fire engine or motor car. The master/host/server toy or game unit may be provided with recorded or synthesized music for playing different songs and tunes, perhaps in different voices or with different sounding musical instrument sounds such as a trumpet or a flute, a violin or a trombone, and also with many different percussion sounds such as drums, bells, whistles, and other sound effects.  
         [0038]    In accordance with the disclosure, a doll or other master/host/server toy or game unit can recognize and identify an object, flash card, token, or other thing with no physical or mechanical contact. The toy or doll or game can recognize just one thing at a time, or a multiplicity of many things at the same time (that is within a few hundred milliseconds of one another) by utilizing the so-called “anti-collision” feature of certain RFID tag ICs which are commercially available.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings, there are shown a girl doll  1  and a baby doll  2 , respectively, each of which can contain an “engine” in the form of a master/host/server toy or game unit  3 . In addition to an integral antenna  5  located within the master/host/server toy or game unit  3  mounted in the doll&#39;s chest cavity, another antenna Sa can be connected to the master/host/server toy or game unit  3  and mounted within the head of the dolls  1  and  2 . Doll  1  is shown with added antenna  5   b at a hand and  5   c at a foot. Each of the dolls  1  and  1  is shown interacting with an object  8  in the form of a card.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIG. 2, there are shown a plurality of play objects  8  that each include a non-self -powered RFID transponder tag IC  8   a and an RF antenna  8   b . The play object may be a flash card, a trading card, or small object molded from a non-conducting, non-RF shielded material.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 also shows a master/host/server toy or game unit  3  having an RF transmitting and receiving antenna sensing element or coil  5 . This antenna may be of the primarily inductive coupling or primarily capacitive coupling type. The master antenna element or coil  5  is tuned to the resonant operating frequency of the RFID Tag ICs, and their associated antennae. The master antenna element or coils  5  are operatively connected to a reader/interrogator circuit  7 . The circuit  7  transmits power to, and receives data transmitted from, the RFID tag ICs  8   a . The circuit  7  may also transmit data to the tag ICs. The play object  8  may typically be positioned about one to four inches from the master antenna  5 , or possibly further.  
         [0042]    When the reader circuit  7  transmits energy to a tag IC, that tag IC uses the power to transmit its unique data back to the circuit  7 . The master unit  3  then uses that unique data to identify or “recognize” that object  8 .  
         [0043]    The reader/interrogator circuit  7  is operatively connected to a microcontroller/microcomputer  13 . The microcomputer  13  has a microprocessor. The microprocessor is connected to one or more ROMs (read-only memories)  14  that contain program code for controlling the responses of the master/host/server toy or game unit  3  to the data received from the tag ICs  8   a . Thus, the data from the tag IC “triggers” or causes the response of the host unit  3 . The microprocessor is also connected to RAM (random access memory) for temporary storage of operating data. Provision for connecting additional. ROMS  15  to expand operating functions and modes is provided in the form of external cartridge connectors  17  which allow additional ROMs  15  to be piggybacked onto or daisy chained to the basic ROMs  14 . The microcomputer  13  may have a plurality of miscellaneous I/O lines to arm/hand switches and other doll sensors.  
         [0044]    A voice/sound synthesizer circuit  19  is connected to the microcomputer  13  for converting digital data signals generated by the microcomputer in response to or caused by the data received from the interrogated tag ICs  8   a to analog voice, music or other sound signals. The sound circuit  19  may include CELP, ADPCM or the like. As noted above, at least some, and possibly most or all, of the data signals generated may be data returned from the memory of the object  8 . The analog sound signals are then applied to the input terminals of an audio amplifier  21  for driving a speaker  23  which reproduces the sounds for listening at an audible level. The microcomputer  13  and its associated components, including the microprocessor, the voice/sound synthesizer circuit  19 , and the amplifier  21  are powered by batteries contained in a power supply  25 . For example, four AA or C alkaline batteries may be used. DC operating power can also be supplied from main AC line voltage by way of a suitable step-down transformer, rectifier and filter circuit as is commonly found in small, plug-in power supplies, so as to save on use of batteries when in a fixed location. DC operating power could also be supplied from 12 VDC found in motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, busses, campers and even airplanes, by way of a suitable electrical connector and cable connected to a DC voltage regulator in the doll engine  3 . “Smart trading cards” are another toy or game application of RFID technology according to the invention. Trading cards, e.g., baseball cards, football cards, and other collectibles can each contain an embedded RFID tag IC for enabling novel uses for trading cards and collectibles in conjunction with dolls, and various other master/host/server toy or game units. The master/host/server toy or game unit can then detect each collectible as it is added to the collection and maintain information about the inventory of collectibles. Each collectible can have, stored in its tag IC, data which associates the collectible with its owner. No other master/host/server toy or game unit can recognize the collectible until its owner enables the stored data to be changed for associating it with a new owner&#39;s master/host/server toy or game unit. That is, once a specific figure or other collectible is “caught;” or “collected” once by someone, it cannot be caught or collected again by someone else, unless it is “traded” by the original owner to a new owner.  
         [0045]    In still another embodiment of the invention, an RFID tag IC can be used to store the “collection” and “ownership” values in the memory of a tag IC embedded in an owner or collectors “master card”, and to allow for trading or exchange of value with another owner/collector for creating “kid&#39;s money.”  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in still another embodiment of the invention, RFID tag ICs  108   a and suitable antenna  108   b can be embedded inside of play objects  108  in the from of small play blocks molded from plastic, carved from wood, or other non-conducting, non-RF shielding materials. The master/host/server and control engine  103  is contained inside of a large tablet shaped form  101 . The engine  103  includes the sensing antenna coil  105  in the surface  109 , a reader/interrogator circuit  107 , a microcontroller  113  with voice/sound generator IC  119 , an audio amplifier and speaker  121 / 123 , and batteries  125 , similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0047]    The “magic tablet”  101  can recognize the play blocks  108  placed on it. The play blocks  108  may have printed or molded legends  108   d on one side of the cube, such as letters of the alphabet, numbers, arithmetic signs such as +,−, / and X, or pictures or icons of animals such as cows, horses, chickens, or pigs, or other objects such as musical instruments, musical notes, or other things.  
         [0048]    The magic tablet  108  has a similar “engine”  3  as the doll previously described. The control program could operate in many different modes.  
         [0049]    In speaking only, the tablet voice just says the name of a letter or number block placed on it.  
         [0050]    The magic play blocks  108  and tablet  101  may have complementary Velcro, or possibly magnetic, surfaces  110   a ,  110   b  for establishing a preferred orientation of each block and its antenna  108   b to the tablet and its antenna  105  so as to maximize the RF energy transferred between the master/host/server and the RFID tag IC  108   a and antenna  108   b contained inside the block or object  108  placed on the magic tablet.  
         [0051]    Alternatively, referring to FIG. 3C, the play block or object  208  could contain the RFID tag IC  208   a and small loop antenna coil  208   b in a diagonal orientation inside the play block or object, so that regardless of the play block or object orientation to the tablet surface  209 , the loop coil antenna  208   b inside the play block or object will couple sufficient RF energy to the associated RFID tag IC  208   a in that play block for proper operation with minimal transmitted power.  
         [0052]    The tablet  101  can also ask a child to spell a word such as D-O-G and then detect when the correct letter play blocks  108  have been placed on the tablet, and speak accordingly, correct or not, to help teach a child how to spell.  
         [0053]    Detection of multiple play blocks or objects  108  is again accomplished by the control program of the microcontroller  113  and the reader/interrogator circuit  107 .  
         [0054]    The circuit of the reader/interrogator  107  operates at the selected RF frequency of the RFID tag IC  108   a and antenna  108   b . Commonly used frequency ranges are 100-150 kHz, or 13.5 MHz nominally, or other frequencies.  
         [0055]    The specific methods of data modulation used in a specific RFID tag system are not of consequence to the inventions of toys and games. The basic operation of the invention can be adapted to various modulation methods and frequency ranges, depending on the cost of the circuits and the range of operation.  
         [0056]    It is very important to note that the detailed control of the reader/interrogator circuit and the data transmission and reception is highly dependent on the control of the reader/interrogator circuit which is effected by portions of the operating system and drivers contained in the main “engine”  3 .  
         [0057]    The disclosed master/host/server toy or game unit  3  can deal with detecting multiple play objects  8 , i.e., where more than one play object  8  are presented to or removed from the toy or game master  3 .  
         [0058]    For example, a doll  1  can ask to “see” three shapes in flash cards or play objects  8  containing suitable RFID tag ICs  8   a . Then the doll can ask for one of the shapes or objects  8  to be removed. If the incorrect one is removed, the doll will recognize that and speak a suitable warning response.  
         [0059]    Because a considerable amount of power is consumed with the activation of the reader/interrogator circuit  7  to transmit RF energy to detect the possible presence of an RFID tag IC  8   a within the range of the master/host/server toy or game unit, such operation must be managed carefully. The master control program can manage the activation of the reader/interrogator circuit  7  on a time multiplexed basis, so as to conserve power in operation and therefore prolong the battery life of the toy or game.  
         [0060]    For example, the discussed apparatus provide for the time multiplexed activation of the reader/interrogator circuit  7  on a time interval basis to conserve battery power. Rather than leave the reader/interrogator circuit  7  activated on a continuous basis, them aster/host/server toy or game unit  3  the apparatus only activate this circuit  7  very briefly a few times per second, until a suitable RFID tag IC  8   a is found to respond. In this manner the method of control reduces the power consumption by a significant amount, and extends the battery life of the toy or game unit.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is shown a smart trading card master device  303  in the form of a hand held reader for smart trading cards or flash cards  308 . A trading card  308  can be slid into a mechanical slot  312  provided for the purpose of holding the card  308  in place or the card can be placed on the surface of a hand held reader.  
         [0062]    The reader  303  has a reader/interrogator circuit  307  and antenna  305  for communicating with the RFID tag ICs  308   a embedded within the trading or flash cards  308 . The trading card control master  303  can read and write back selected data information to and from the RFID tag IC  308   a embedded in the trading card  308 . This is performed under the control of a single chip microcontroller  313  which includes a speech/sound synthesizer circuit  319  with digital to analog converter suitable to drive audible sounds from a miniature loud speaker  323  inside the unit.  
         [0063]    Moreover, the microcontroller  313  can include the circuitry to drive segments and layers of a common, multiplexed LCD alphanumeric display screen  314  on the master unit, whereby information can be visually displayed. Power to the master device  103  may be provided by batteries  325 .  
         [0064]    In addition, the microcontroller can include circuitry to communicate with an external device such as a personal computer, a hand-held computer, or other device, via a wired serial communications interface for RS-232, USB. IEEE 1394 or other standard or custom communications network.  
         [0065]    With such a network communications link, information about the trading cards, their values, ownership, or other information can be communicated to other programs and services, and could also be conveyed via the Internet to various websites offering prizes, recognition, or other services to the card collector or game or toy player.  
         [0066]    In a text to speech application of the invention, words and phrases can be encoded in the tag IC memory in the form of ASCII or other generally known and used character encoding techniques by using RFID tag ICS with a sufficient number of data bits or read only or read/write memory.  
         [0067]    For example, the word “HOUSE” can be encoded in  6  bit ASCII code, that is 6 data bits per alphanumeric character, using a total of only 30 data bits. The RFID tag IC containing this data bit pattern could be embedded inside a flash card, a trading card, or any other small two or three-dimensional object.  
         [0068]    Upon detection and query of the flash card, trading card, or other object by the doll, a reader or other master/host/server toy or game unit, programmed to recognize the encoding of words, the five letters of the example word “HOUSE” would be received and then conveyed to a software program and/or combination of software program and voice sound or speech synthesizer, in any of many various languages, to be converted into the spoken word “HOUSE ” by the toy or game unit.  
         [0069]    A very important feature of this embodiment of the invention is the ability to form hundreds or thousands, or more, flash cards, trading cards, or other objects containing RFID tag ICs, which then cause the master/host/server toy or game unit to speak, or to display and speak, the word or words programmed within them. This is significantly different from using a master/host/server toy or game unit that has a sound and speech voice synthesizer using only pre-recorded words or phrases of language, which would be activated by control and behavior programs in the toy or game unit.  
         [0070]    In the foregoing embodiment of the invention, there can be a virtually unlimited range or spoken words and phrases, activated by one or more suitably programmed RFID tag ICs contained in flash cards, trading cards, or other objects. As noted above, if desired, the major portion, if not all, of the spoken or displayed data may come from the object&#39;s memory. The main advantage of this implementation is that the toy or game unit does not have to be completely pre-programmed with all the words it might ever have to speak or say or display. Rather, the toy or game unit need only have a text-to-speech converter program in its control program, with proficiency in one or more spoken languages. Such a toy or game unit could be of use in learning and teaching various languages.  
         [0071]    The number of data bits in the RFID tag IC, perhaps as many as one thousand bits, could contain as many as 150 alphanumeric characters, (i.e. letters, numbers, punctuations, and other control codes) sufficient so that one flash card, trading card, or RFID tag IC equipped object, could cause the doll, master/host/server toy or game unit to speak a specific sentence or sentences of multiple words and phrases.