Abstract:
A system for programming an interactive learning device, such as electronic toy, using a web server includes a first processing unit having a web server for providing a control module used for remote processing, a second processing unit linked to the first processor through the communication medium to exchange data with the first processor, an interactive device, such as a robot toy pet, having at least a processor and a memory and adapted to communicate with the first processing unit. The interactive device includes a sensor for collecting data and formulating a learned module. The interactive device receives the control module from the first processing unit and sends the learned module. The control module is updated with more advanced function to be performed by the interactive toy in response to the content of the learned module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an interactive system, and more particularly, to an interactive processing device, such as electronic toys, adapted to be managed, upgraded and modified by using communication networks, such as the Internet.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Recently, toys having a learning/growing function have been introduced into the marketplace and are gaining popularity. One type of a learning/growing toy is the virtual animal or virtual plant, which can be “raised” or “grown” on-line through the Internet. Users can customize how their virtual animal or plant looks, acts, and/or changes with time, and by selecting certain features of the virtual animal or plant, the virtual toy becomes customized (i.e. “grow”) to the user&#39;s preferences. More recently, physical toys in the shape of dogs, cats, birds, fish, etc. have been released that learn or grow with the user (or purchaser). Marketed under such names as Poo-chis, Robo-toys, or Robo-pets, these interactive toys can learn and grow by adjusting a key of a remote controller by a user or by using voice recognition technology. For example, a robo-dog can be programmed to respond to voice commands, sing songs, and do tricks based on training from the user. Moreover, the amount of interaction by the user directly affects the customization of the robo-pet to the user. Thus, as a toy “learns” or “grows” for a predetermined time, it matures into a more “intelligent” or functionally sophisticated toy.  
           [0005]    Although existing interactive toys are popular with users for the short term, users often lose interest in the toys after a short time. Initial instructions accompanying the toy give limited guidance to the user and without a means of comparison with different toys of other users, the growth of the toys can become monotonous. By failing to stimulate the continuous interest of the user, the full capabilities of the interactive toys are often left untapped. Moreover, because the interactive toys are sold generically, the particular interactive toy cannot reflect the tastes or preferences of a particular user. The lack of initial customization often leads to a quicker loss of interest.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for purchasing and managing a learning/growing type of device using a web server, for which various types of character patterns of devices are provided in a web server and the psychology and taste of a purchaser are analyzed to give a device a character pattern according to the purchaser&#39;s taste, and along with its corresponding system.  
           [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for purchasing and managing an interactive learning/growing type device using a web server that is capable of stimulating a user&#39;s continuous interest to a device by means of an improved learning/growing process, providing a user comparison table which allows different users to compare the growth state of their own devices, and allowing users to objectively compare a degree of maturity of a device through various contests in a cyber space through the web server.  
           [0008]    In the present invention, since a device can be directly connected to the Internet through a communication port, a device user can input a learned content of a device and the fully grown model at its step to the web server without passing through a personal computer, so that the user can download an improved control software.  
           [0009]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
           [0010]    To achieve at least the above objects in whole or in parts, there is provided a system for purchasing and managing of an interactive learning/growing type device using a web server including: a web server for providing a profile data having information for surveying and analyzing preferences of a purchaser, generating data for fabricating a device suiting a purchaser tastes according to the information described in the profile data, processing an order content of the purchaser in case the purchaser desires to purchase the device directly without utilizing the psychology and taste analysis, determining a degree of maturity of the device according to the learned content and the fully grown model of the device at a certain step of development as inputted by the purchaser, and providing an upgraded control software and/or hardware for the device; a personal computer for downloading a profile form through the Internet, providing the profile form to the purchaser, inputting a response of the purchaser to the profile form, downloading the learned content from the device through a communication unit after a predetermined learning period elapses and inputting the learned content to the web server; and a device for receiving fabrication data generated in the web server and the upgraded control software and/or hardware through the personal computer or directly through the wireless Internet.  
           [0011]    To achieve at least these advantages in whole or in parts, there is further provided a method for purchasing and managing a learning/growing type device using a web server including: a step in which a web server inquires a purchaser whether he or she wants a profile for analyzing his or her psychology and taste; a step in which the purchaser inputs his or her psychology and taste according to a certain profile provided by the web server to determine a character pattern of a device according to the inputted response result of the purchaser, that is, according to the psychology and taste of the purchaser; a step in which the web server provides a control software and/or hardware corresponding to the determined character pattern of a device to the device and a company sells the device to the purchaser; a step in which the purchaser receives he device selected by the web server and learns and grows the device; a step in which the learned/grown content is provided to the web server if the user wants upgrading of the device according to the learned/grown content; and a step in which the web server receives the learned content of the device and the finally grown model at its step selected by the purchaser, determines a degree of maturity of the device and a device company sells the upgraded control software and/or hardware of the device to users according to the degree of maturity.  
           [0012]    To achieve at least these advantages in whole or in parts, there is further provided a method for purchasing of a learning/growing type device using a web server including: a step in which a purchaser inputs his or her own psychology and taste according to a certain profile provided from the web server and the web server determines a character pattern of a device according to the inputted response result of the purchaser, that is, according to the purchaser&#39;s psychology and taste; and a step in which the device company provides a control software and/or hardware corresponding to the determined character pattern of the device to the device and sells it to users.  
           [0013]    To achieve at least these advantages in whole or in parts, there is further provided a method for managing of a learning/growing type device using a web server including: a step in which a device purchaser purchases a learning/growing type device in an online or in an offline; a step in which the user (the device purchaser) makes the device to learn and grow; a step in which the learned/grown content is provided to the web server if the user wants upgrading the device according to the learned/grown content; and a step in which the web server receives the learned content of the device and the finally grown model at its step selected by the purchaser, determines the degree of maturity of the device, and provides a user comparison table for a degree of maturity and a maturity level table by grow types to the purchaser, and a device company sells an upgraded control software and/or hardware for the device to a user.  
           [0014]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for exchanging information over a communication medium comprises a first processor having a server for providing a control module used for remote processing, wherein the control module is selectively chosen; a second processor linked to the first processor through the communication medium to exchange data with the first processor; an interactive device having at least a processor and a memory and adapted to communicate with the first processor, wherein the interactive device includes a sensor for collecting data and formulating a learned module, the interactive device receiving the control module from the first processor and sending the learned module to the first processor, and wherein the control module from the first processor is selectively chosen in response to the learned module; and a communication link for linking the interactive device to the second processor, wherein the control module includes an executable program for sensory functions to be performed by the interactive device.  
           [0015]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the interactive device performs physical motor functions in response to the control module received from the first processor. Preferably, the learned module is responsive to an operation duration of the interactive device.  
           [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an updated control module is selected in the first processor in response to the learned module to allow the interactive device to perform more advanced functions.  
           [0017]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, an interactive device for use with a remote processing device having a server for providing a control module used for remote processing comprises an internal processor for receiving and executing the control module; a memory for storing data; a communication port adapted to communicate with the remote processing device; a sensor for collecting data and outputting to the processor, wherein the processor compiles a learned module based on sensory data and communicates to the first processor to receive an updated control module in response to the learned module.  
           [0018]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the interactive device further comprises a motor controller for controlling movement of the interactive device in response to the control module received from the first processor.  
           [0019]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic overview diagram of the network computing environment in which the preferred embodiments are implemented;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 illustrates software components in the web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an overview construction of the system for purchasing and/or managing an interactive toy over the Internet in accordance with a preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a toy of FIG. 3 in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 illustrates a purchase system of an interactive learning/growing type toy using a web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for purchasing a learning/growing type toy using a web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 illustrates a managing system for a learning/growing type toy using a web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for managing a learning/growing type toy using a web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing profile items of a toy purchaser to be provided to the web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of questions for checking psychology of the profile of FIG. 9 in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of control software corresponding to each character pattern of toys in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a method for determining a degree of maturity of a toy in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of types of finally grown model of learned/grown toys and pertinent development steps in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a graph showing comparison of the number of users of toys for a development by steps of toys in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 15 is database included in the web server in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    The preferred embodiments are directed to a method, system and program for consumers to purchase customized interactive learning devices, such as toys, and provide greater interactivity for the toys over any communication network, such as the Internet. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the preferred embodiments are described in the context of an interactive toy, the present application can apply to any device that is customized to a user&#39;s preferences and tastes before delivery, and the “development” of the device is compared after further customization by the user.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 is a schematic overview diagram of the network computing environment in which the preferred embodiments are implemented. In preferred embodiments, user computers  10  can access a web server  20  using a network  15 , such as the Internet. The network  15  may be comprised of any network system known in the art including TCP/IP based networks (e.g., an Intranet, the Internet), LAN, Ethernet, WAN, Token Ring, etc. Alternatively, there may be separate and different networks between the components. Further, because the preferred embodiment of the network  15  is the Internet, there can be numerous users using the network  15  simultaneously, however only three user computers  10  are shown for illustration purposes. Interactive toys  30  can be directly connected to the user computers  10  by means of a communication port, such as a serial port, parallel port or USB connection or other suitable ports known to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, in alternative embodiments, interactive toys  30  may connect to network  15  by means of a wireless Internet connection avoiding the use of the user computers  10 . In addition, the network  15  also connects the web server  20  to a manufacturer computer  5  where the web server  20  can deliver customized orders for the toys  30 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 illustrates software components in the preferred embodiment of the web server  20 , including a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server  50 , database  60 , database interface  55 , customization tool  40 , and templates  65  and  67 . The HTTP server  50  responds to requests from the user computers  10  using HTTP client programs, such as 1  web browser programs known in the art. Upon accessing the HTTP server  50  through the network  15  using a unique network address (i.e. an IP address), the database interface  55  will give specific access to certain parts of database  60  depending on the secured identification provided by the user computer  10  (e.g. unique username, unique toy name, identification number, password, etc.).  
         [0039]    The database  60  keeps current information about the users (or purchasers) of the interactive toy, the interactive toys themselves, and variety of other information needed to provide information throughout the website. The database  60  comprises a database program known in the art, such as a relational database program. In the preferred embodiment, the database  60  includes six database tables  70 ,  75 ,  80 ,  85 ,  90 , and  95 . A user database table  70 , which includes user records  71   a, b, . . . n,  is used in the preferred embodiment to track user information. Each record  71   a, b, . . . , n  belongs to a unique user keeping track of a purchaser information gathered from the user. Fields within a record  71   a, b, . . .  or  n  keeps information such as user name, password, credit card information, address, user&#39;s tastes and preferences, purchase record, etc. In addition, a manual database table  75  includes records  76   a, b, . . . n  which is used in the preferred embodiment to keep generic information about the website, instructions to the web server  20 , and introductory information about the interactive toys. Moreover, database tables  80 ,  85 ,  90 ,  95 , each with records  81   a, b, . . . n,    86   a, b, . . . n,    91   a, b, . . . n,  and  96   a, b, . . . n,  keep track of a variety of other information about the interactive toys themselves, the interaction of the toys and users within the website, and information about upgrades to both software and hardware of the interactive toys. Additional detail of the database tables  75 ,  80 ,  85 ,  90 , and  95  will be discussed with respect to FIG. 15.  
         [0040]    The database interface  55  may comprise a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) program, a Java servlet, or other web page implementation known in the art to present the information in database  60  in a presentable format (e.g. HTML page, etc.). In preferred embodiments, the database interface  55  uses a secured login/password verification for identifying the individual user contacting the HTTP server  50 . The assigning of a secured login/password can occur when the user purchases an interactive toy, visits the website, or other means known in the art. The unique identification will allow the database interface  55  to identify which user record  71   a, b, . . . n  belong to the requesting party and will appropriately give read/write capabilities to the user record  71   a, b, . . . n.    
         [0041]    The server  20  further stores a display template  65  and an input template  67 , which are preferably implemented in a document in which dynamic content may be generated (i.e. HTML, Extended Markup Language (XML) Document, etc.). Differing variations of the display template  65  and input template  67  exists for both user information and the interactive toys, depending on the information to be displayed or inputted, but a single display template  65  and a single input template  67  are used for illustration purposes in FIG. 2. The display template  65  is used to provide the user computers  10  with specific user and toy information from the database tables  70 ,  75 ,  80 ,  85 ,  90 , and  95 . The database interface  70  generates data into the display template  65  from one or more of the records  71   a, b, . . . n,    76   a, b, . . . n,    81   a, b, . . . n,    86   a, b, . . . n,    91   a, b, . . . n,  and/or  96   a, b, . . . n  in the database  60 . The input template  67  is used by the web server  20  to collect data from the users or toys and stores the collected information in one or more records  71   a, b, . . . n,    76   a, b, . . . n,    81   a, b, . . . n,    86   a, b, . . . n,    91   a, b, . . . n,  and/or  96   a, b, . . . n  in the database  60 .  
         [0042]    The database  60 , display template  65 , and input template  67  are preferably stored in a non-volatile storage system, such as one or more hard disk drives, used by the server  10  for storage. The server  20  may load data from the storage system into volatile memory (not shown) when processing.  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 2, the web server  20  also includes a customization tool  40 . The HTTP server  50  will access the customization tool  40  when a purchaser desires to pre-customize the toy  30  before purchase. The HTTP server  50  can provide a profile form to the purchaser based on the input template  67  and receive the corresponding answers inputted by the purchaser. The responses are sent to a user analyzing unit  43  of the customization tool  40 , which gives values to the responses and analyzes the response values to determine the purchaser&#39;s preferences and tastes based on a predetermined valuation formula. The analysis results are passed to toy character determining unit  47 , which selects a character for the toy  30  from a group of predefined toy character patterns that best match the purchaser&#39;s tastes and preferences. Additional details on the workings of the customization tool  40  will be given with regards to FIG. 6.  
         [0044]    The server  20 , manufacturer computer  5  and user computers  30  may comprise any type of computer device known in the art, including server, personal computer, mainframe, workstation, hand held device, etc. Moreover, the server  20  may comprise one or more separate computer systems to run the different program components  40 ,  50 ,  55 , and  60 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an overview construction of the system for purchasing and/or managing an interactive toy over the Internet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0046]    As shown in FIG. 3, the system for purchasing and managing a learning/growing type toy over the Internet includes a web server  20 , a personal computer  10 , and an interactive device exemplary designated as a toy  30 . The web server  20  stores profile data for surveying and analyzing the psychology and tastes of a toy purchaser, generates data for fabricating a toy suiting a toy purchaser&#39;s tastes according to the information derived from the profile data, processes an order to purchase an interactive toy, determines a degree of maturity of a toy according to the learned content of a toy inputted by the purchaser, stores the fully grown models at each step of development and provides upgraded control software and/or hardware to a user for the toy.  
         [0047]    The user or personal computer  10  is used to download profiles of interactive toys at various levels of development through the Internet, to input profile responses from the purchaser, and to upload a toy&#39;s learned content to the web server  20  from the toy  30  through a communication unit after a predetermined learning period elapses. The toy  30  is able to receive toy fabrication data generated in the web server  20  and to receive upgraded control software and/or hardware ordered by the purchaser over the computer  10 . Alternatively, if the toy  30  has a function to be directly connected to the Internet, the learned/grown content of the toy  30  can be directly inputted to the web server  20  omitting the personal computer  10 .  
         [0048]    The following gives a general description of the interaction between the various components in the system of the preferred embodiments as seen in FIG. 3. Additional detail to each step of the process will be discussed with respect to FIGS.  5  to  15 .  
         [0049]    A purchaser makes an order for a toy to the web server  20  to purchase the toy  30 . At this time, the web server  20  poses a question to the purchaser whether he or she wants a profile form for surveying and analyzing his or her psychology and taste. The purchaser expresses his or her intention by responding ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question of the web server  20 , according to which the purchaser purchases a toy online or offline.  
         [0050]    If the purchaser wants to survey and analyze his or her own psychology and taste to purchase a toy to his/her preferences, the purchaser may request the profile form from the web server  20 , download a profile form through the Internet from the web server  20 , fill in the form, and send back the form to the web server  20 .  
         [0051]    Then, the web server  20  receives the response result of the purchaser, analyzes the results and orders a toy  30  with a suitable control software and/or hardware amongst various control software and/or hardware representing diverse character patterns of toys previously stored in the web server  20 . The toy company or manufacturer then sells it to the purchaser.  
         [0052]    After the purchaser has had the toy  30  for a certain amount of time incorporating initial training into the interactive toy, the purchaser can input by means of a Internet connection, the learned content to the web server  20  and receive a fully grown model of the toy  30  at its step of development.  
         [0053]    Thereafter, the web server  20  determines a degree of maturity of the toy on the basis of the learned content and the fully grown model of the toy at its step as selected by the purchaser, and the toy company provides the user with an upgraded control software and/or hardware according to the degree of maturity. The control software is provided to the purchaser through the Internet according to the degree of maturity and the hardware is provided to the purchaser in a store of a pertinent area or through the Internet purchasing system.  
         [0054]    Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, in the purchasing/managing system of a learning/growing type toy in accordance with the preferred embodiments, after the toy  30  is sold to the purchaser, it passes a predetermined learning period by the user, and a web server  20  provides the user with a growth software and/or hardware according to a learned content to further grow the toy. In the system, purchasing and management can concurrently occur.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a toy  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the toy  30  includes a controller  30 A for receiving and running a control software or module according to the degree of maturity corresponding to the psychology and the taste of the purchaser. The controller  30 A may include a processor for processing the control module received from the web server  20 , a display panel for displaying images and motors and associated motor control processor to control the movement of the toy  30 . In addition, the toy  30  includes a memory  30 B storing the control module and a hardware installation unit  30 C where supplementary hardware required for the grown toy  30  to perform an improved function is installed, where the hardware being installed corresponds to the psychology and taste of the purchaser. Moreover, the toy  30  has a communication port  30 D, which can be used to connect to a computer  10  or a wired or wireless Internet connection.  
         [0056]    The operation of the purchase system of the learning/growing toy using a web server as described above will now be explained.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 5 illustrates a purchase system of a learning/growing type toy using a web server  20  in accordance with the preferred embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, the purchase system includes a user computer  10  for communicating between the toy purchaser and the web server  20 ; a web server  20  for receiving a profile form for surveying and analyzing the taste of a toy purchaser, determining a character pattern of a toy to be purchased from the profile form response, and providing a precustomized control software and/or a hardware corresponding to the character pattern; and a toy  30  having a character pattern suitable to the purchaser&#39;s psychology and taste according to the control software provided from the web server  20  and/or the hardware provided from the toy company at the time of purchasing of the toy.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for purchasing a learning/growing type toy using a web server in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, control begins at block  400 , where the toy purchaser accesses the web server  20  through the Internet using a browser program. The HTTP server  50  directs the toy purchaser through standard Internet purchase procedures and allows the user to order a toy  30 . The server  20  receives the purchase order (at block  410 ) and allows an option to pre-customize the toy  30  to the user&#39;s tastes (at block  420 ). If the purchaser decides on the customization option or just to determine what type of toy would be best suited for the user, the user can request a profile questionnaire.  
         [0059]    Preferably, the web server  20  builds a profile form based on an input template  67  with various questions regarding the interests and likes/dislikes of the user and sends the profile form to the user computer  10 . At this time, the profile form is displayed on the personal computer  10  and the toy purchaser responds thereto and resubmits the completed profile form to the web server  20 . The response result is received by the HTTP server  50  (at step  430 ), and the results are stored by the database interface  55  in the user&#39;s record  71   a, b, . . .  or  n  in the database  60 .  
         [0060]    The customization tool  40  then determines a character pattern of the toy according to the inputted response result of the purchaser, that is, according to the results of the psychology and taste test of the purchaser as stored in the database  60  (at step  440 ). Based on the results of the survey, an analysis on the psychology and taste of the purchaser is performed by the user analyzing unit  43 . The character determining unit  47  takes the analysis results from the user analyzing unit  43  and endows a character pattern previously stored in the database  60  to the toy  30  to pre-customize the toy  30  to the user&#39;s tastes and preferences.  
         [0061]    In this respect, various character patterns of toys are previously stored in the database  60 . An order is sent to the toy manufacturer to incorporate the settings selected by the character determining unit  47  and to manufacture it accordingly. Thereafter, the control software and/or hardware corresponding to the determined character pattern of the toy  30  is adopted to the toy  30  (i.e. the control software corresponding to the character pattern of the toy is downloaded to the memory  30 B of the toy  30 , and supplementary hardware corresponding to the character pattern of the toy is mounted at the hardware installation unit  30 C of the toy). The pre-customized toy  30  is then sold to users (at step  450 ).  
         [0062]    The purchaser can purchase the toy  30  suitable to his or her taste at the point of sale. On the other hand, if the purchaser wants to directly purchase the toy, omitting the profile input form, he or she may directly purchase a toy from the toy company without the pre-customization off-line. However, even without the precustomization, standard software and hardware is included with the toy  30  which allows the toy  30  to grow and be customized based on the user&#39;s interaction.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 7 illustrates a managing system for a learning/growing type toy using a web server  20  in accordance with the preferred embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, the managing system of a learning/growing type toy includes a toy  30  which behaves or responds to voice commands at a level corresponding to a certain learned level after being purchased; a personal computer  10  for receiving the learned/grown content by the toy purchaser through a communication unit, that is, a serial port or a parallel port, from the toy and outputting it; and a web server  20  for receiving the learned content, the fully grown model of the toy  30 , and the identification number from the personal computer  10 , determining a degree of maturity with a corresponding weight function, and providing the user a comparison table and a development step table according to the degree of maturity, so as to provide an improved control software and/or hardware to the toy accordingly.  
         [0064]    The operation of the managing system of the learning/growing type toy using a web server constructed as described above will now be explained.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for managing of a learning/growing type toy using a web server in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 8, first, whether the toy purchaser purchases a learning/growing type toy in online or offline, the user (the toy purchaser) has the toy  30  to learn and grow for a predetermined time period. After the predetermined learning period elapses, the web server  20  inquires the purchaser whether he or she wants to upgrade the toy  30  according to the learned degree. In response, if the purchaser wants to upgrade the toy  30  to have a further developed function (at step  510 ), the web server  20  asks the purchaser for the learned content, an identification number (ID) and the fully grown model of the toy  30  at its step. Preferably, the toy  30  shares the content of its internal memory containing the learned data with the web server  20 .  
         [0066]    Accordingly, the purchaser uploads the learned content stored in the memory  30 B of the toy  30  to the personal computer  10  through the communication unit port (i.e. the serial port, the parallel port or a USB). Alternatively, if the toy  30  is constructed to be able to directly communicate with the web server  20  through wired or wireless communication, (i.e. wireless Internet), the toy  30  may directly input the learned content to the web server  20  without the need of a personal computer  10 . The information is then sent together with the toy ID and user&#39;s selection of what stage of development the toy has reached (i.e. the fully grown model at its step of development) to the web server  20  (at step  520 ).  
         [0067]    At step  530 , the web server  20  determines the degree of maturity of the toy  30  through a weight function according to fully grown models by steps as stored in database  60 . The weight function considers both the learned content uploaded from the toy  30  and the fully grown model selected by the purchaser to determine the degree of maturity of the toy  30 . Thereafter, the web server  20  also provides the purchaser with a user comparison table and a development step table by growth types (to be described) made on the basis of the maturity.  
         [0068]    In addition, the web server  20  provides the purchaser with training guidance, a fully grown model type by steps, a game character, or the like, given to toys  30  to participate in various contest in a virtual space or in actual space.  
         [0069]    According to the degree of maturity, the toy company provides the upgraded control software and/or hardware for the toy to the user (at block  540 ). The upgraded control software can allow the toy  30  to perform additional functions according to the growth degree of the toy  30 , and additional hardware components (i.e., arms, parts of a toy, etc) may be required to perform the additional functions. The toy company can download the upgraded control software to a controller  30 A of the toy  30  through the Internet, and the upgraded control hardware can be provided to the purchaser in a toy store or by using an additional purchasing system over the Internet. Once the improved software and/or hardware is installed, the purchaser can further train the toy  30  until the toy  30  is ready for another upgrade. The growing step as described above is repeatedly performed until the upgrading step is terminated. However, if the purchaser does not want to upgrade the toy  30  at step  510 , the managing method of the learning/growing type toy is terminated.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing sample profile items of a toy purchaser to be provided to the web server in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes items of ‘sex of the purchaser’, ‘date of birth’, ‘blood type’, ‘favorite animal’, ‘favorite food’, ‘questions for testing psychology’, etc. This information is preferably saved in the user record  71   a, b, . . .  or  n  in the database  60 , and used by the customization tool  40  to determine the character pattern of the toy  30  during purchase process.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 10 is an exemplary illustration of questions for checking the psychology of the purchaser and determining the profile information of FIG. 9 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Example questions include questions such as ‘Which actors and actresses of younger generations do you know of?’, ‘Would you take a novel medicine, if any?’, ‘If you meet an animal while mountain climbing, what would it be?’, ‘If you took out a bead from a wrapper, what color would it be?’, ‘If you got one billion won (approximately one million U.S. dollars), what would you spend the money on?’, or ‘if you were to die today, what three things would you like to do most?’.  
         [0072]    The items described in FIGS. 9 and 10 are used to analyze the psychology and the taste of the purchaser. Without being restricted thereto, various other items may be used to analyze the psychology and taste of the purchaser, and used to determine the character patterns given to a particular toy  30 . The character patterns of the toy  30  are stored in the character database table  80  in the database  60  and accessed by the toy character determining unit  47  in determining which character pattern best fits the preferences and tastes of the purchaser.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 11 is an exemplary illustration of control software corresponding to each character pattern of toys in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the character patterns include a talented type, an artistic type, a sociable type and an athletic type. Corresponding characteristic of each character pattern (i.e. interested field of the toy) and the respective software characteristics of the controller are also listed in FIG. 11. Thereby choosing a particular type of control software, the interactive toy  30  can be varied to the user&#39;s preferences and tastes.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a method for determining a degree of maturity of a toy in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The degree of maturity is determined by comparing the development of the learning/growing type toy  30  in various categories with the fully grown model at the next development step (i.e. a weighted calculation). Categories compared include: use time of the toy  30 , the number of chargings, the number of reactions of a tactile sensor and a level of voice recognition from the purchase date to the time when the learned content of the toy is inputted to the web server  20 . The results of the weighted calculation as well as the selection of desired level by the user will allow the web server  20  to determine a maturity level of the toy  30 .  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of types of fully grown models of learned/grown toys and pertinent development steps in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, in case of the talented type of toy, at the first step (i.e. level of development), the toy  30  recognizes the voice of a greeting or a basic operation command (i.e., ‘forward!’, ‘sit’, ‘up’, ‘back’, etc.) and does behaviors accordingly. At the second step, the toy  30  performs a function of verbally informing the user of specific events at a set time. (i.e., ‘Please wake up’, ‘It&#39;s time for an appointment’). At the third step, the toy  30  shows a dynamic reaction to a comment of the purchaser (for example, it smiles or reacts on a comment of “you are pretty”). Without being limited to the above described example, the dynamic reaction at the third step may come in many forms, such as reacting or changing behavior based on the chat conversation in chat room as the toy  30  is connected to the Internet.  
         [0076]    Another example of a fully grown model at various stages of development is the educational variety. At the first step, the toy  30  can mimic a specific, well-known character (e.g. a teletobie®). At the second step, the toy  30  can operate according to commands of several steps previously stored from an educational CD-ROM. At the third step, the toy operates or reacts in a foreign language (i.e., English).  
         [0077]    Another example of a growth type is the user type. In the user type variety, the toy  30  can take on characteristics developed by other users. Such characteristic types may be developed by true fanatics of the interactive toys and can take on many different forms. For example, users may develop “flirty” type software or “rebel” type software. These user created growth type software can be downloaded from the Internet and stored in the memory  30 B of the toy, and operate or react accordingly thereto.  
         [0078]    According to the growth types or the development steps, the toys may participate in various contests, such as a dance contest for artistic toys, a sweet gesture contest for sociable toys, a race contest for athletic toys, a battle contest for battle-type toys to be performed in a virtual space. For the various events for the toys, the web server  20  provides image characters to each toy by growth types and the development steps, assigns an identification number to the toys, and displays the contest scene on the personal computer  10  of the purchaser through the Internet. Accordingly, the purchaser can watch their toys compete with other toys of other purchasers as the toys participate in the contests, and makes a relative evaluation with respect to other toys on the basis of the records of the contests. This kind of events may be held in a real space, without being restricted to the virtual space.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 14 is a graph showing comparison of the number of users of toys for a development by steps of toys in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the web server  20  surveys the number of purchasers owning toys by steps of development illustrated in FIG. 13 and provides the survey result to the users through the Internet. This is to inform the users of the ranking of the toys owned by the users.  
         [0080]    In order to provide various services as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the database  60  includes database tables  75 ,  80 ,  85 ,  90 ,  95  as shown in FIG. 2 and described in greater detail in FIG. 15 in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the manual database  75  stores in one or more records  76   a, b, . . . n  instructions for the web server  20 , a user manual containing instructions for learning/growing the toy and procedures to upgrade the toy according to the methods disclosed above.  
         [0081]    A character database  80  is provided to store in one or more records  81   a, b . . . n  the fully grown models of learning of each step, including a fully grown model for a s talent type, a sociable type, a battle type, a security type, and a educational type. A composite database  85  contain records  86   a, b, . . . n  to keep track all the interactive toys registered with the web server  20 . Each record tracks an identification number (e.g., a serial number), a purchase date, the toy name given by the purchaser, the fully grown model of the toy desired by the user, the current state of development of the toy  30 , and provides a maturity degree checking table and a user comparison table for each registered toy  30 . The maturity degree checking table, as shown in FIG. 12, stores the values of the weight function when compared to the fully grown model at each step based on use time, the number of charging, the number of reaction and the level of voice recognition. As shown in FIG. 14, the user comparison table provides a reference ranking by comparing the degree of maturity of toys with other toys registered with the web server  20 . Finally, the user group database  95  stores information in records  96   a, b, . . . n  to manage gatherings of users and provides a user message board, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and sub-group gatherings based on the development of the user&#39;s toys  30 .  
         [0082]    Another method in which the web server  20  directly controls the toy  30  through the Internet and the personal computer  10  will now be described.  
         [0083]    The web server  20  advances the degree of maturity of the toy owned by the purchaser step by step whenever a predetermined time elapses. In addition, the web server  20  inputs a control command (a voice or a signal) to the toy  30  through the Internet and the user computer  10  at an arbitrary time zone. According to the control command, the toy  30  shows a programmed reaction and further shows a behavior specified in the development step table of FIG. 13.  
         [0084]    Accordingly, the purchaser has his or her own toys to learn, or compares and determines the grown state on the basis of the toy  30  learned by the information obtained from the web server  20 . In addition, by using the above method, the purchaser may also request the web server  20  to have his or her own toy  30  to learn.  
         [0085]    As so far described, the method for purchasing and managing of a learning/growing type toy using a web server has many advantages. For example, before selling a learned/grown toy to a purchaser, the psychology and the taste of the purchaser is first analyzed and then a control software and/or hardware is installed in the purchased toy, allowing the purchased toy to have a character suitable to the purchaser&#39;s psychology and the taste according to the analysis. Accordingly, the purchaser can be much interested in the toy at the initial stage and have the toy to learn and grow.  
         [0086]    In addition, the web server guides the learning/growing procedure, provides a user comparison table so as for the purchaser to compare his or her own toys with other ones of other purchasers for the learned/grown state of toys. And various contests are held in the cyber space to allow the purchasers to objectively compare their own toys with each other, arousing learning/growing desire of the users for their toys with much interest.  
         [0087]    Moreover, since the control software and/or hardware are provided suitable to the level of each growing step, purchasers would be hardly tired of toys and have a great interest continuously.  
         [0088]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of interactive electronic apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structure described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.