Toys, software and methods for presenting play surfaces with dynamically adjustable images

Abstract

Toys, software, and methods are provided for presenting surfaces with dynamically adjustable images for varied play. A side panel has at least one display that displays the various images. The display is either attached to the side panel, or integrated with it. The display may receive data either by cable or wirelessly, such as by an antenna. The data may be static, and stored in a memory, or dynamic, such as from television, streaming video, a video camera, a global computer network, or the like. A detector may control the display depending on external conditions, or a position or identity of the toy figurine with respect to the display.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A toy set comprising: 
 at least one side panel having a first surface, the first surface adapted to simulate a wall to use with a toy figurine; and    a first display that is to be attached to the first surface, the first display adapted to receive a first set of image data, and to display a first image responsive to the first set of image data.    
     
     
         2 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the side panel has a data connection, and    the display receives the first set of image data through the data connection.    
     
     
         3 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 at least one Velcro-type strip is adapted to attach the first display to the side panel.    
     
     
         4 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the display and the side panel have at least one protrusion and mating opening, and    attachment is by placing the protrusion in the mating opening.    
     
     
         5 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first set of image data is derived from one of a television signal, a streaming video signal, a video camera, and a global computer network.    
     
     
         6 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the first set of image data is one of a plurality of sets stored in a memory.    
     
     
         7 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a toy figurine having a theme related to a theme of the first image.    
     
     
         8 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a stand-alone controller to transmit the first set of image data to the first display.    
     
     
         9 . The toy set of  claim 8 , wherein 
 the stand-alone controller is to adapted to receive inputs from a personal computer.    
     
     
         10 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a transmitting antenna to transmit the first set of image data; and    a receiving antenna to receive the transmitted first set of image data, the receiving antenna adapted to be coupled to an input of the display.    
     
     
         11 . The toy set of  claim 10 , wherein 
 the receiving antenna is within the side panel.    
     
     
         12 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the display displays the first image using electronic printed ink.    
     
     
         13 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the display includes light emitting diodes.    
     
     
         14 . The toy set of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the display includes a screen.    
     
     
         15 . The toy set of  claim 14 , wherein 
 the screen is one of a color screen and a liquid crystal display screen.    
     
     
         16 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a light source.    
     
     
         17 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a speaker.    
     
     
         18 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a detector,    wherein the first set of image data is responsive to an output of the detector.    
     
     
         19 . The toy set of  claim 18 , wherein 
 the detector is a light sensor.    
     
     
         20 . The toy set of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a lamp,    wherein the lamp is controlled responsive to an output of the detector.    
     
     
         21 . The toy set of  claim 18 , wherein 
 the detector is to detect one of a location or an identity of the toy figurine.    
     
     
         22 . The toy set of  claim 18 , wherein 
 the detector is a pressure sensor associated with a bottom panel to sense a weight of the toy figurine.    
     
     
         23 . The toy set of  claim 18 , wherein 
 the toy figurine includes a RF transponder, and    the detector includes an antenna to detect a return signal from the RF transponder.    
     
     
         24 . The toy set of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second display adapted to receive a second set of image data, and to display a second image corresponding to the second set of image data.    
     
     
         25 . An article comprising: a storage medium, said storage medium having stored thereon instructions, that, when executed by at least one device, result in: 
 waiting to receive a signal output from a detector indicative of a toy figurine characteristic; and    if the signal is received, transmitting a first set of image data to a display associated with the side panel to cause the display to display an image corresponding to the first set of image data.    
     
     
         26 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein 
 transmitting is performed wirelessly.    
     
     
         27 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions further result in: 
 choosing the first set of image data from a plurality of sets of image data depending on the output of the detector.    
     
     
         28 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions further result in: 
 transmitting a detection signal to a RF transponder of the toy figurine.    
     
     
         29 . A method comprising: 
 waiting to receive an output of a detector about a location of a toy figurine; and    if the output is received, transmitting a first set of image data to a display associated with the side panel to cause the display to display an image corresponding to the first set of image data.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein 
 transmitting is performed wirelessly.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 choosing the first set of image data from a plurality of sets of image data depending on the output of the detector.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the detector is an antenna, and further comprising: 
 transmitting a detection signal to a RF transponder of the toy figurine.