OBJECT RECOGNITION TOYS AND GAMES
Background of the Invention
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.
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".
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
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.
Tag ICs 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.
In addition to a toy or game master/host/server reading an object's identity 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 memory onboard the tag IC chip. This
feature enables the creation of a form of kid'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.
This feature also could be used with a doll to simulate consumption and
replenishment of 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. When the milk bottle is "empty" the doll could possibly cry
and ask for more milk. Then the toy milk bottle would have to 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.
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.
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.
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 anotlier, unless the owner agrees to trade it electronically
to another owner, using the master/host/server toy or game controller.
Description of the Drawings
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. IB 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;
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;
Fig. 3 A is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3B is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Fig.
3A.
Fig. 3C is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown
in Fig. 3A, with a modification.
Fig. 4A is a front elevation view of still another preferred embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 4B is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention
shown in Fig. 4A.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
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.
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.
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.
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's head, and a coil in the doll's abdominal cavity.
Such a doll could play games with multiple objects, but might also play games with a
single obj ect by directing the user to sequentially position that obj ect at different antenna,
and recognizing and reporting back to the user as to the success or failure of each
attempted positioning.
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's right hand, or in its left hand,
for example.
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.
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.
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.
Referring to Figs. 1A and IB 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's chest cavity, another
antenna 5 a 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 5b at a hand
and 5c at a foot. Each of the dolls 1 and 1 is shown interacting with an object 8 in the
form of a card.
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 8a and an RF antenna 8b. The play
obj ect may be a flash card, a trading card, or small obj ect molded from a non-conducting,
non-RF shielded material.
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 8a. 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.
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.
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 8a. 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 com ectors 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.
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 8a 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 comiector 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'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.
In still anotlier 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's money."
Referring now to Figs. 3 A and 3B, in still another embodiment of the invention,
RFID tag ICs 108a and suitable antenna 108b can be embedded inside of play obj ects 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.
The "magic tablet" 101 can recognize the play blocks 108 placed on it. The play
blocks 108 may have printed or molded legends 108d 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.
The magic tablet 108 has a similar "engine" 3 as the doll previously described. The
control program could operate in many different modes.
In speaking only, the tablet voice just says the name of a letter or number block
placed on it.
The magic play blocks 108 and tablet 101 may have complementary Nelcro, or
possibly magnetic, surfaces 110a, 110b for establishing a preferred orientation of each
block and its antenna 108b 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 108a and antenna
108b contained inside the block or object 108 placed on the magic tablet.
Alternatively, referring to Fig. 3C, the play block or object 208 could contain the
RFID tag IC 208a and small loop antenna coil 208b 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 208b inside the play block or object will couple
sufficient RF energy to the associated RFID tag IC 208a in that play block for proper
operation with minimal transmitted power.
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.
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.
The circuit of the reader/interrogator 107 operates at the selected RF frequency of
the RFID tag IC 108a and antenna 108b. Commonly used frequency ranges are 100-150
kHz, or 13.5 MHz nominally, or other frequencies.
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.
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.
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.
For example, a doll 1 can ask to "see" three shapes in flash cards or play objects
8 containing suitable RFID tag ICs 8a. 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.
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 8a 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.
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, the
master/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 8a 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.
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.
The reader 303 has a reader/interrogator circuit 307 and antenna 305 for
communicating with the RFID tag ICs 308a 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 308a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Upon detection and query of the flash card, trading card, or other obj ect 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.
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.
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'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.
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.