The present disclosure is directed to play sets, such as play sets that include one or more play toys and/or one or more play areas. Patents and patent applications that may be related to the present disclosure include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,675,925; 3,973,685; 4,703,240; 4,981,300; 5,013,047; 5,051,736; 5,082,286; 5,107,541; 5,150,174; 5,477,012; 5,852,434; 6,020,583; 6,021,363; 6,168,158; 6,674,530; 6,697,147; 6,739,874; and 6,952,263; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0226602; U.K. Patent Application No. GB 2188850; and Japanese Patent No. JP 06339583. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present disclosure is directed to play sets and methods of determining position of a play toy on a play area. The play sets may, in some embodiments, include a play area having a plurality of indicia, the plurality of indicia including a first set of indicia and a second set of indicia; and a play toy including a sensor subsystem configured to measure intensity of light reflected from the first and second sets of indicia, and to generate a signal that corresponds to position of the play toy on the play area based on the measured intensity of the light reflected from the first and second sets of indicia, and a motion subsystem configured to receive the signal and move the play toy based on the received signal.
The present disclosure is directed to play sets and methods of determining position of a play toy on a play area. In some embodiments, the play set may include a play area having a plurality of indicia, the plurality of indicia including X-coordinate and Y-coordinate indicia, the X-coordinate indicia being configured such that the light reflected from the X-coordinate indicia has a wavelength within a first wavelength range, the Y-coordinate indicia is configured such that the light reflected from the Y-coordinate indicia has a wavelength within a second wavelength range, the second wavelength range being different from the first wavelength range; and a play toy including a sensor subsystem configured to measure intensity of the light reflected from the X-coordinate and Y-coordinate indicia, and to generate a signal that corresponds to X-coordinate and Y-coordinate positions of the play toy on the play area based on the measured intensity of the light reflected from the X-coordinate and Y-coordinate indicia, the sensor subsystem including a first sensor assembly configured to measure intensity of light within only the first wavelength range, and a second sensor assembly configured to measure intensity of light within only the second wavelength range, and a motion subsystem configured to receive the signal and move the play toy based on the received signal.
The method may, in some embodiments, include measuring light intensity reflected from a first indicium of the first set of indicia; measuring light intensity reflected from a second indicium of the second set of indicia; generating a signal that corresponds to position of the play toy on the play area based on the measured intensity of the light reflected from the first and second indicia; and moving the play toy based on the signal.
The interactive toy robot or pet may be configured to simulate a real-life companion. For example, a toy dog may be configured to walk and run like a dog, to make dog noises, to play like a dog, etc. Additionally, a toy bird may be configured to move like a bird, to fly like a bird, to make bird noises, etc. Examples of interactive toy robots/pets and their components are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0293119. The complete disclosure of that application is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Alternatively, play toy 22 may be in the form of playing pieces, such as game pieces that may be used with play area 24. For example, play toy 22 may include chess pieces, checker pieces, backgammon pieces, etc. The pieces may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). Additionally, the playing pieces may include any suitable indicia, such as one or more letters, numbers, alphanumeric codes, symbols, colors, etc.
Play toy 22 may include any suitable structure configured to interact with play area 24. For example, the play toy may include a sensor subsystem 28, a control subsystem 30, and one or more other subsystems 32, as shown in
Sensor subsystem 28 may include any suitable structure configured to detect and/or measure one or more properties of indicia 26 on play area 24 and to transmit one or more signals to the control subsystem based, at least in part, on the detected and/or measured properties of the indicia. For example, the sensor subsystem may detect or measure intensity of light reflected from the indicia. The signal generated by the sensor subsystem may correspond to position of the play toy (such as X-coordinate and Y-coordinate positions of the play toy) on the play area based on detected or measured properties of the indicia, such as the measured intensity of the light reflected from the indicia.
Sensor subsystem 28 may include one or more sensor assemblies 34, as shown in
For example, the first sensor assembly may be configured to measure intensity of light within only a first wavelength range, and the second sensor assembly may be configured to measure intensity of light within only a second wavelength range, where the second wavelength range may be different from or non-overlapping with the first wavelength range. Alternatively, or additionally, first sensor assembly 35 may be configured to detect or measure one or more properties of a first set of indicia, while second sensor assembly 36 may be configured to detect or measure one or more properties of a second set of indicia.
One or more of the sensor assemblies may include at least one light emitter 38, at least one light selector 40, and at least one light detector 42, as shown in
Light selector 40 may include any suitable structure configured to absorb or block light of specified wavelength range(s) and/or allow light of other wavelength range(s) through. For example, the light selector may include at least one filter 46. The filter may be adjacent a photodetector of the light detector and/or may be configured to absorb or block light of any suitable wavelength(s) that may be reflected from the one or more indicia of the play area. For example, the filter may be configured to prevent light outside a suitable wavelength range from reaching the photodetector.
For example, filter 46 may include a red filter that may absorb or block light at wavelength ranges other than the wavelength range corresponding to red (e.g., about 630 to about 700 nanometers). Alternatively, or additionally, the filter may include a blue filter that may absorb or block light at wavelength ranges other than the wavelength range corresponding to blue (e.g., about 450 to 490 nanometers). Filter 46 may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable color(s).
Light detector 42 may include any suitable structure configured to detect and/or measure intensity of light reflected from indicia 26 of play area 24 and/or that goes through light selector 40. For example, light detector may include at least one photodetector 48, such as optical detector(s), photoresistor(s), photodiode(s), photomultiplier tube(s), phototube(s), and/or phototransistor(s). The photodetector may be configured to detect any suitable wavelength(s) of light.
Although sensor assembly 34 is shown to include light emitter 38, light selector 40, and light detector 42, the sensor assembly may include any suitable structure configured to detect and/or measure one or more properties of the indicia of the play area. For example, in some embodiments, sensor assembly may exclude the light emitter and/or light selector.
Sensor subsystem 28 may be located in any suitable portion(s) of play toy 22. For example, sensor subsystem 28 may at least be partially located in a bottom portion 50 of the play toy such that the sensor subsystem may detect and/or measure one or more properties of the indicia on the play area that are adjacent to that bottom portion, as shown in
Control subsystem 30 may include any suitable structure configured to receive and/or process one or more signals from sensor subsystem 28, and/or to transmit one or more signals to other subsystems 32. For example, the control subsystem may include a processor 54 and a memory 56, as shown in
For example, the control subsystem may be configured to receive one or more light measurements from sensor subsystem 28 and to compare those measurements with measurements stored in the memory to determine the position of the play toy in and/or on the play area. Alternatively, or additionally, control subsystem 30 may send one or more signals to other subsystems 32 based, at least in part, on the one or more signals received from sensor subsystem 28.
Other subsystems 32 may include any suitable structure configured to receive one or more signals from control subsystem 30 and to perform one or more functions and/or actions based, at least in part, on the received one or more signals. For example, other subsystems 32 may include a transmitter assembly 58 configured to transmit signals to other components of the play set.
Additionally, or alternatively, the other subsystems may include a receiver assembly 60 configured to receive one or more signals from external transmitter(s), such as from other play toys 22 and/or play area 24, and/or to send those signals to control subsystem 30. The control subsystem may, based at least in part on the received signals, direct the sensor subsystem and/or other subsystems to perform one or more functions or actions. For example, play toy 22 may receive signals from a remote transmitter related to specific movements desired by a user, and the control subsystem may direct a motion assembly of the play toy to perform those movements.
Alternatively, or additionally, other subsystems 32 may include a motion assembly 62 configured to move the play toy across the play area based, at least in part, on the signals received from the control subsystem. For example, the play toy may include one or more wheels and/or one or more legs (not shown) that are selectively driven based on the signals received from the control subsystem. Control subsystem 30 may command or instruct the motion assembly to move the play toy along one or more paths on the play area based on the received signals.
Additionally, or alternatively, the other subsystems may include an audiovisual assembly 64 configured to generate one or more audio and/or visual outputs based, at least in part, on the signals received from the control subsystem. For example, when the play toys are playing pieces, the audiovisual assembly may provide instructions on which playing piece(s) to move based on the previously moved piece(s). Moreover, although play toy 22 is shown to include sensor subsystem 28, control subsystem 30, and other subsystem(s) 32, the play toy may include any suitable structure configured to interact with play area 24.
For example, the play toy may alternatively not include a control subsystem. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor subsystem may be connected directly to a transmitting assembly of the play toy or may be able to transmit the generated signals by itself. In some embodiments, one or more of the play toys may have different components from one or more of the other play toys.
Play area 24 may include any suitable structure configured to allow play toy 22 to interact with the play area. For example, the play area may be in the form of a game board or a play mat. The play area may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). Additionally, the play area may be made of any suitable material(s), such as paper and/or plastic.
As discussed above, play area 24 may include a plurality of indicia 26. For example, indicia 26 may include a first set of indicia 66 and a second set of indicia 68, as shown in
The first and second wavelength ranges may be any suitable ranges and may correspond to any suitable colors. The first and second wavelength range may overlap and/or may be the same. Alternatively, the first and second wavelength range may be different or may not overlap. For example, the first wavelength range may be about 450 to about 490 nanometers, which may correspond to the color blue. Additionally, the second wavelength range may be about 630 to about 700 nanometers, which may correspond to the color red.
The play area also may include a plurality of play portions 70, as shown in
Although play area 24 is shown to include first and second lines that are orthogonal or perpendicular to each other, any suitable types of lines having any suitable relationships may alternatively, or additionally, separate the play portions. For example, one or more oblique lines may be used to separate one or more of the play portions. Additionally, although play portions 70 are shown to be separated by lines 72, the play portions may alternatively not be separated by lines.
The play portions may have any suitable indicia 26, such as first set of indicia 66 and second set of indicia 68. The first and second sets of indicia may include one or more letters, numbers, alphanumeric codes, symbols, colors, etc. For example, the first and second sets of indicia may include first indicia squares 78 and second indicia squares 80, as shown in
Each play portion may include an indicium of the first set of indicia (such as a first indicium) and an indicium of the second set indicia (such a second indicium) with a different or unique combination of properties, such as intensity of the light reflected from the indicia, compared to the other play portions. For example, the first indicia squares may become more shaded or less shaded (e.g., reflect more or less light) as the play toy moves along the X-coordinate among the play portions.
Additionally, or alternatively, the second indicia squares may become more shaded or less shaded (e.g., reflect more or less light) as the play toy moves along the Y-coordinate among the play portions, as shown in
Moreover, the first and second squares may be configured such that light reflected include any suitable color(s). For example, one or more of the first indicia squares may include a red color (or reflect light within a wavelength range of about 630 to about 700 nanometers), while one or more of the second indicia squares may include a blue color (or reflect light within a wavelength range of about 450 to about 490 nanometers). The difference in color properties between the first and second indicia squares may allow the sensor subsystem of the play toy to differentiate between the squares.
For example, a first sensor assembly may include a red filter to ensure that the intensity of light within a wavelength range of only about 630 to about 700 nanometers (i.e., the red squares) are detected and/or measured by that sensor assembly, while a second sensor assembly may include a blue filter to ensure that the intensity of light within a wavelength range of only about 450 to about 490 nanometers (i.e., the blue squares) are detected and/or measured by that sensor assembly. Although particular colors are discussed for the first and second indicia squares, any suitable colors may be used that may be distinguished by the sensor subsystem of the play toy, such as colors that may be filterable.
Additionally, although the first and second sets of indicia are shown to be a particular size relative to the size of the play portions, those indicia may be any suitable size. For example, the first and second sets of indicia may be significantly smaller relative to the size of the play portions. In some embodiments, those indicia may be small in size relative to the play portions such that they may be barely discernable by a naked eye of a user.
Moreover, although shading of the first and second squares are shown to increase or decrease linearly, the shading of those squares may vary in any suitable way(s), including in random ways, such as in
The first and/or second set indicia circles may include an outer circle 86 and an inner shaded circle 88, which may have a diameter that varies from zero diameter to the diameter of the outer circle as the play toy moves across the play portions, which are not separated by lines in
Additionally, although indicia properties of variable shading or variable inner diameter are shown in
Although play set 20 is shown to include a play toy 22 and a play area 24, the play set may alternatively, or additionally, include other components. For example, the play set may include a detector calibrator, such as detector calibration sheet, that may be used to calibrate the photodetector(s) of the play toy.
The sports play set may include play pieces 92 and play area 94 having indicia 96, as shown in
Play pieces 92 may include player pieces 98 and play objects 100. The player pieces may have any suitable size(s) and/or appearance(s). Additionally, the player pieces may include any suitable structure configured to allow a user to move the pieces within and/or on the play area and/or detect one or more of the indicia on the play area. For example, player pieces 98 may include a housing 101, a sensor subsystem 102, a control subsystem 104, a receiver assembly 106, a motion assembly 108, and a power assembly 110, as shown in
The play objects may have one or more components similar to the player pieces and/or may have different components. For example, one or more of the play objects may include a sensor subsystem (not shown), a control subsystem (not shown), and a transmitter assembly (not shown).
The components of the player pieces and/or play objects may allow for various types of game play. For example, player pieces 98 may be limited to particular portion(s) of the play area. Sensor subsystem 102 may detect which portion the player piece is on and then send a signal to control subsystem 104 that determines where the player pieces will move and/or which movements the player pieces are allowed to make. Additionally, the play objects may detect if it is on particular portions and transmit a signal to the player piece(s) and/or play area(s) via the play object's transmitting assembly.
In the example in
In some embodiments, the method may include blocking light reflected from the first indicium of the first set of indicia that is outside a first wavelength range, such as 450 to 490 nanometers, at 120. Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include blocking light reflected from the second indicium of the second set of indicia that is outside the second wavelength range, such as 630 to 700 nanometers, at 122. In some embodiments, the second wavelength range may be different from the first wavelength range.
Play set 20 also may include computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for determining position of a play toy on a play area, the computer-executable instructions being configured to perform one or more of the steps of method 112 discussed above.
The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2009/045078 | May 2009 | US | national |
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/128,667 entitled “Interactive Play Sets,” filed May 22, 2008. The complete disclosure of the above application is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61128667 | May 2008 | US |