Object recognition toys and games

Abstract

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

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A toy or game play apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of play objects each having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of said tag ICs having a memory that stores digital data that includes at least specific identification information that is different from that of the other said objects, and    at least one powered master unit that includes a micro-controller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit, said master unit and said play object having an appearance consistent with a mode of play between them, said master unit being operable, when at least a selected one of said play objects is in position in a localized detection region relative to said master unit so as to afford remote wireless RF communication between said master unit circuit and the tag IC of that selected play object, but without requiring physical contact between said master unit and that play object, to send power to energize that tag IC to enable that tag IC to transmit digital data at that time back to said master unit, said data transmitted by said tag IC including at least some of said specific identification information, all of said tag ICs transmitting at the same frequency, said master unit being operable to recognize said data transmitted from said tag IC and to make a presentation to a user at least partially caused by that transmitted data, said presentation being supportive of play by the user with the toy or game play apparatus in accordance with said mode of play.    
     
     
         2 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein, when a plurality of said play objects are generally concurrently positioned in a detection region relative to said master unit, said master unit is capable of sequentially energizing said tag ICs of said play objects so as to cause each of said play objects, as it is energized, to transmit as least some of its specific information data back to said master unit.  
     
     
         3 . The toy and game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said presentation comprises at least in part at least some of said transmitted data from the tag ICs.  
     
     
         4 . The toy and game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said master unit has stored data and said presentation comprises at least in part data stored on said master unit.  
     
     
         5 . The toy and game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said master unit also includes a visual display for making said presentations in visual form to the user caused by the data from the tab ICs.  
     
     
         6 . The toy and game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said master unit also includes an audio sound presenting unit for making presentations in audible form to the user caused at least in part by the data from the tag ICs.  
     
     
         7 . The toy and game play apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said audio sound presenting unit includes an amplifier and a speaker.  
     
     
         8 . The toy and game play apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said audio sound presenting unit also includes a voice synthesizer.  
     
     
         9 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said tag ICs includes writeable memory, and said master RFID unit is operable to write new data to said tag memory.  
     
     
         10 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said tag ICs includes rewriteable memory, and said master unit is capable of changing the data in said tag memory.  
     
     
         11 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said master unit is operable to present directions to the user regarding the positioning of one or more of said play objects relative to said master unit, to make a determination, based on data transmitted back by said positioned play object, whether or not that positioned play object has been positioned correctly, and to include in said presentation the results of said determination.  
     
     
         12 . The toy apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said master unit includes a plurality of master antennae that are physically spaced apart, said master antennae being rapidly sequentially operable by said master unit so as to enable said master unit to recognize which if any of said play objects is in the detection region of each said master antenna, said master unit being operable to act upon that recognition.  
     
     
         13 . The toy and game apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said master unit is operable to present instructions to the user regarding the positioning of one or more of said play objects relative to one or more of said master antennae, to recognize, based on data transmitted by positioned play objects, the resultant play object positioning at to each of said master antenna, and to make said presentation to the user include the results of such positioning.  
     
     
         14 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said play objects includes visual indicia that is different from that of the other play objects, and each of said visual indicia correlate with the specific data on the associated play object.  
     
     
         15 . A method of playing with a toy or game play apparatus comprising: 
 1) providing a plurality of play objects each having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of the tag ICs having a memory which stores digital data that includes at least specific information that is different for each of the play objects,    2) providing a powered master unit that includes a microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit, the play objects and master unit having an appearance consistent with a mod of play between them, the master unit being operable, when at least one of the play objects is in position in a localized detection region relative to said master unit such as will afford remote wireless RF communication between the master unit reader/interrogator circuit and the tag IC of that selected play object, but without requiring physical contact between the master unit and that play object, to send power to energize that tag IC to cause that tag IC to transmit at that time at least its specific information data back to the master unit, the master unit being operable to recognize that transmitted data and to make a presentation to a user at least partially caused by that transmitted data, said presentation being supportive of play by the user with the toy or game play apparatus in accordance with said mode of play,    3) positioning the master unit and at least one of the play objects relative to one another so that the positioned play object is in the detection region relative to the master unit,    4) causing the master unit to send power to energize that positioned play object for data transmission by that play object back to the master unit,    5) causing the master unit to make a supportive presentation to the user at least partially based on the transmitted data, and    6) repeating steps 3), 4) and 5).    
     
     
         16 . The play method of  claim 15  further including 
 having the master unit direct the user to take a specified action with one or more of the play objects, and  
 having the presentation advise the user of the adequacy or inadequacy of the action that was taken by the user.  
 
     
     
         17 . The play method of  claim 15  wherein each of the tag ICs includes writeable memory, said method further including the step of having the master unit write new data onto the memory of the play object tag IC.  
     
     
         18 . The play method of  claim 15  wherein each of the tag ICs includes rewriteable memory, said method further including the step of having the master unit rewrite the data in the memory of the play object tag IC.  
     
     
         19 . Toy or game play apparatus comprising: 
 a main object designed and arranged for interactive use with a plurality of play objects, each of said play objects having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of said tag ICs having a memory that holds digital data that includes at least specific information that is different from that of the other of said play objects,    said main object being operatively associated with a powered master unit that includes a microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit and a plurality of master antennae, said master antennae being located at a plurality of spaced apart positions on said main object,    said master unit being operable, when a selected one of said play objects is in a localized detection region relative to one of said master antennae such as will afford RF communication between said master unit circuit and the tag IC of that selected play object, but without requiring physical contact between said master unit and that play object, to send power to energize that tag IC to cause that tag IC to transmit at least some of its specific information data back to said master unit, said master unit also being operable to recognize that transmitted data and to make a presentation to the user of the toy or game play apparatus caused at least in part by that transmitted data,    said master unit being operable to successively activate one of said master antennae at a time, and    said master unit being operable to recognize which if any of the play objects is in the detection region of each master antenna, and to control said presentation to the user accordingly.    
     
     
         20 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said master unit is operable to direct the user to position one or more play objects relative to the toy figure, to make a determination, based on data transmitted by positioned objects, whether or not each play object has been positioned as directed, and to include in the presentation to the user the results of said determination.  
     
     
         21 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said master unit represents a figure with a plurality of extremities, one of said master antennae being located at each of said figure extremities.  
     
     
         22 . Toy or game play apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of play objects each having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, each of said tag ICs having a memory that stores digital data that includes at least specific information that is different from that of the other of said play objects,    a powered master unit that includes a microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuits,    said master unit being operable, when a plurality of said play objects are positioned so that those play objects are in the localized detection region relative to said master unit such as will afford RF communication between said master unit circuit and the tag ICs of those play objects, to sequentially send power to energize those tag ICs to cause each of those tag ICs to sequentially transmit at least some of its specific information data back to said master unit, said master unit also being operable to recognize all of that transmitted data and to make a presentation to a user of the toy or game play apparatus caused at least in part by that transmitted data, said presentation being supportive of play in accordance with a mode of play, said presentation appearing to a user to be a generally simultaneous as to all of said positioned play objects.    
     
     
         23 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 22  wherein each of said play object includes visual indicia that is different from that of the other play objects, and each of said visual indicia correlate with the specific data on the associated play object.  
     
     
         24 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said master unit has a plurality of spaced apart master antennae each defining a localized detection region, and said master unit is operable to direct the user to position one or more play objects relative to a specified localized detection region, to make a determination, based on data transmitted by positioned objects, whether or not each play object has been positioned as directed, the presentation to the user the reflecting said determination.  
     
     
         25 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said master unit includes a generally horizontal support surface for supporting said plurality of play objects, said master unit having at least one master antenna located below said support surface.  
     
     
         26 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said master antenna is arranged generally parallel to said support surface, and each of said play objects has a generally flat bottom face for resting upon said support surface, each of said play object antenna being disposed generally parallel with the associated bottom face of its play object.  
     
     
         27 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said play objects are three dimensional and each have a plurality of generally flat face, said antenna of each of said play objects being disposed within its play object at an angle to said support faces of its play object, whereby said play object antenna can effectively couple with a master antenna adjacent to which that play object is disposed regardless of which support face of that play object rests upon the support surface.  
     
     
         28 . Toy or game play apparatus comprising: 
 at least one play object having at least one variable aspect, said play object having a non-self-powered RFID tag IC, said tag IC including a writeable memory that stores digital data representing the current state of said variable aspect, and    a powered host unit that includes a microcontroller and a RFID reader/interrogator circuit,    said host unit being operable, when one of said play objects is positioned in a localized detection region relative to said host unit such as will afford remote wireless RF communication between said host unit circuit and the tag IC of that play object, but without requiring physical contact between said host unit and that play object, to send power to energize said tag IC to enable said tag IC to transmit data at that time back to said to said host unit,    said tag IC being capable of receiving new digital data about a different current state of said variable aspect and storing such new data in its writable memory, said host unit also being operable to recognize data transmitted from that play object and to make a presentation to a user relating to the then current state of said variable aspect to implement play by the user with the toy or game play apparatus related to said variable aspect.    
     
     
         29 . The toy or game apparatus of  claim 28  further including a second host unit that includes a second microcontroller, a second RFID reader/interrogator circuit, said second host unit being operable, when an play object is in position in a localized detection region relative to said second host such as will afford RF communication between said second host unit circuit and the tag IC of that play object, but without requiring physical contact between said second host unit and that play object, to send power to energize said tag IC to cause said tag IC to transmit data as to said variable aspect back to said second host unit, said second host unit being operable to recognize that transmitted data, and to change said data relating to said variable aspect of that play object in that play object's writeable memory.  
     
     
         30 . The toy or game apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said variable aspect has a quantitative dimension, said first host unit being operable to progressively reduce the quantity of the aspect of that selected play object, and said second host unit is operable to replenish the quantity of the aspect of that selected play object.  
     
     
         31 . The toy or game apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said play object represents a container and said variable aspect is the quantity of a virtual play substance in said container.  
     
     
         32 . A toy or game play apparatus comprising: 
 at least one play object having a RFID tag IC with a writable memory;    a master play unit including a microprocessor for writing data to and reading data from the memory, said play object and master play unit having an appearance compatible with a mode of play between them; and    programming in at least the master play unit for bidirectional RF transmission between the master play unit and the play object to implement said mode of play.    
     
     
         33 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 32  wherein there are a plurality of said play objects, each of which has a memory containing specific data that is different from that of said other play objects.  
     
     
         34 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said programming causes transmission of at least some of said specific data back to said master play unit, recognizes that transmitted data from each of said play objects, and reacts accordingly.  
     
     
         35 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said play object has specific data, said programming causes transmission of at least some of said specific data back to said master play unit, recognizes that transmitted data from said play object, and provides a presentation to a user of the apparatus caused by that transmitted data.  
     
     
         36 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 35  wherein programming causes at least some of that transmitted data to be included in said presentation.  
     
     
         37 . The toy or game play apparatus of  claim 33  wherein each of said play object includes visual indicia that is different from that of the other play objects, and each of said visual indicia correlate with the specific data on the associated play object.  
     
     
         38 . Play apparatus comprising 
 first and second play objects having appearances consistent with a mode of play between such objects and respectively comprising:    first and second wireless RFID information transceivers, said second transceiver being non-self powered, the first and the second transceivers being positionable for remote mutual digital date-transmission contact;    first and second circuits operating first and second programs;    a writable memory in the second play object for holding digital data,    means in the first play object, controlled by the first program, for writing to and reading from the memory in the second play object with which the first play object is in data-transmission contact, through their transceivers; and    means in the first play object, controlled by the first program and by the written or read data, or both, for indicating to a user information for implementing play by the user with the objects in accordance with said mode of play.    
     
     
         39 . The play apparatus of  claim 38  wherein there are a plurality of said second play objects, each of which has a memory containing specific data that is different from that of the other second play objects.  
     
     
         40 . A method of play comprising: 
 providing at least one play object having a RFID tag IC with a writable memory;    providing a master play unit including a microprocessor for writing data to and reading data from the memory, said play object and master play unit having an appearance compatible with a mode of play between them;    causing bidirectional RF transmission between the master play unit and the play object;    providing to a user a presentation based at least in part on data from the play object provided by said bidirectional RF transmission, said presentation serving to implement said mode of play.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising providing additional play objects, each of which has a memory containing specific data that is different from that of the other play objects.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein: 
 Said play objects all include fixed frequency devices that all operate at the same frequency.  
 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein: 
 said master unit communicates apparently simultaneously with all of the play objects of the plurality.  
 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein: 
 the mode of play is in accordance with a specific play theme.    
     
     
         45 . Play apparatus comprising: 
 first and second play objects, respectively comprising:    first and second wireless information transceivers in mutual data-transmission contact, and first and second circuits operating first and second programs; and    a writable memory in the second play object for holding data representing the current condition of a variable virtual play substance;    means in the first play object, controlled by the first program, for writing to or reading from the memory, or both, through the transceivers;    indicating means in the first play object, controlled by the first program and by the written or read data, or both, for indicating to a user a play characteristic derived from the then current condition of the variable virtual play substance, such indicated play characteristic being supportive of play by the user with the play apparatus in accordance with a mode of play.    
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein: 
 the mode of play is in accordance with a specific play theme.    
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein: 
 according to the play theme, the first object is configured as a worker in a particular job and the second object as an implement used by such a worker in doing that particular job.    
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein: 
 according to the mode of play, the first object is configured as a doll and the second object as an accessory of the doll.    
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein: the variable virtual play substance is selected from the group consisting of: 
 play food or drink for the doll;    play money for the doll;    documents evidencing property ownership by the doll;    play resources transferred by the doll to the second object for storage; and    play resources transferred by the doll to the second object for transfer to a third play object.    
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein: 
 said indicated play characteristic comprises a remaining amount of the variable virtual play substance, before or after interaction between the first and second objects.    
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein; 
 said play characteristic comprises a response to the current condition of variable virtual play substance.    
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the first object is configured as a character and the response is selected from the group consisting of: 
 indicated play hunger, thirst or satiation;    indicated play wealth or poverty; and    indicated play accumulation or depletion of resources in the second object.    
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 51  wherein the response is to the addition or removal of variable virtual play substance accomplished during interaction between the first and second objects.  
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , further comprising: 
 means in the second play object, controlled by the second program, for retrieving data from the memory and passing it to the first play object, through the transceivers.    
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein: 
 the transceivers are radio-frequency devices; and there are a plurality of the second transceivers which each comprise an integrated circuit.    
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein: 
 the second transceivers are fixed-frequency devices operating at the same frequency.    
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56:   wherein the first transceiver communicates apparently simultaneously with all the second play objects of the plurality.    
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein: 
 the second programs in the second play objects of the plurality control the second play objects to respond to communications from the first play object at staggered times.    
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , further including an additional first play object with a first transceiver and a first circuit for interacting with the second play object in the same manner as the first play object.  
     
     
         60 . A method of play comprising: 
 1) providing first and second play objects, respectively comprising:    first and second wireless information transceivers in mutual data-transmission contact, and    first and second circuits operating first and second programs; and    a writable memory in the second play object for holding data representing the current condition of a variable virtual play substance;    means in the first play object, controlled by the first program, for writing data to or reading data from the memory, or both, through the transceivers;    indicating means in the first play object, controlled by the first program and by the written or read data, or both, for indicating to a user a play characteristic derived at least in part from the then current condition of the variable virtual play substance, such indicated play characteristic being supportive of play by the user with the play apparatus in accordance with a mode of play,    2) causing data-transmission between said first and second play objects, and    3) indicating to a user a play characteristic derived at least in part from the data transmitted from the second play object that represents the then current condition of the variable virtual play substance, such indication being supportive of said mode of play.    
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein: 
 the mode of play is in accordance with a specific play theme.    
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein: 
 according to the play theme, the first object is configured as a worker in a particular job and the second object as a implement used by such a worker in doing that particular job.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein: 
 according to the mode of play, the first object is configured as a doll and the second object as an accessory of the doll.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein: the variable virtual play substance is selected from the group consisting of: 
 play food or drink for the doll;    play money for the doll;    documents evidencing property ownership by the doll;    play resources transferred by the doll to the second object for storage; and    play resources transferred by the doll to the second object for transfer to a third play object.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein: 
 said indicated play characteristic comprises a remaining amount of the variable virtual play substance, before or after interaction between the first and second objects.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein; 
 said play characteristic comprises a response to the current condition of variable virtual play substance.    
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the first object is configured as a character and the response is selected from the group consisting of: 
 indicated play hunger, thirst or satiation;    indicated play wealth or poverty; and    indicated play accumulation or depletion of resources in the second object.    
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66  wherein the response is to the addition or removal of variable virtual play substance accomplished during interaction between the first and second objects.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 60  wherein: 
 there are a plurality of second transceivers which each comprise an integrated circuit, are fixed frequency devices all operating at the same frequency.  
 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69  wherein: 
 the first transceiver communicates apparently simultaneously with all the second play objects of the plurality.