Education toy

Abstract

A toy comprising a host structure, a plurality of attachable items which can be selectively attached to the host structure, and a radio frequency identification device. The radio frequency identification device comprises at least one reader and a plurality of tags which, when read by a reader, provide identification information particular to that tag. Each reader is housed by the host structure and the tags are each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items. The reader reads the identification information from a particular tag when the corresponding attachable item is attached to the host structure and a different output is generated depending upon which item has been attached.

1 . A toy comprising a host structure, a plurality of attachable items which can be selectively attached to the host structure, and an identification device; 
 wherein the identification device comprises at least one reader and a plurality of tags which, when read by the reader(s), provide identification information particular to that tag;    wherein the reader(s) is(are) housed by the host structure and the tags are each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items;    wherein the reader(s) reads the identification information from a particular tag when the corresponding attachable item is attached to the host structure; and    wherein a different output is generated depending upon which attachable item has been identified by the reader.    
   
   
       2 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the identification device is a radio frequency identification device.  
   
   
       3 . A toy as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the reader(s) broadcast a radio frequency activation signal which is received by one of the tags when the corresponding attachable item is attached, and wherein the tag is powered to transmit identification information to the reader.  
   
   
       4 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the identification device is a bar code identification device.  
   
   
       5 . A toy as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein each tag comprises a bar code printed on the attachable item and wherein each reader reads the bar code to obtain identification information.  
   
   
       6 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host structure houses only one reader and wherein only one of the attachable items is attachable to the host structure at a time.  
   
   
       7 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host structure houses a plurality of readers and wherein a plurality of the attachable items can be attached to the host structure at the same time.  
   
   
       8 . A toy as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the identification device generates an output when all of the attachable items are attached to the host structure.  
   
   
       9 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the identification device has different modes of operation and wherein the outputs change depending upon the selected mode of operation.  
   
   
       10 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the output is audio.  
   
   
       11 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the output is visual.  
   
   
       12 . A toy as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the visual output occurs on the attachable item.  
   
   
       13 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the different outputs occur on at least one of the attachable items.  
   
   
       14 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachable items are of different colors and the different outputs correspond to these different colors.  
   
   
       15 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachable items have different numerals printed thereon and wherein the different outputs correspond to these different numerals.  
   
   
       16 . A toy as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the outputs correspond to addition or subtraction of these numerals.  
   
   
       17 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host structure resembles a fishing rod.  
   
   
       18 . A toy as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the attachable items resemble fish, aquatic animals and/or sea creatures.  
   
   
       19 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host structure resembles a personality-void head and the attachable items resemble hats, masks, wigs, and other accessories to provide a certain personality of the head.  
   
   
       20 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host structure resembles a torso and the attachable items resemble body parts attachable to the torso.  
   
   
       21 . A toy as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the identification device generates an output when all of the attachable items are attached to the host structure.  
   
   
       22 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising connectors for connecting the attachment items to the host structure.  
   
   
       23 . A toy as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the connectors comprise a magnetic connecting arrangement between the host structure and the attachment items.  
   
   
       24 . A toy as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the connectors comprise a hook-and-loop fastening arrangement between the host structure and the attachment items.  
   
   
       25 . A toy as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment items are fitted around the host structure.  
   
   
       26 . A toy comprising: 
 a host structure which resembles a fishing rod,    a radio frequency reader housed by the host structure and positioned at an attachment location corresponding to where a fish would be caught by a fishing rod,    a plurality of attachable items which can be selectively attached, one at a time, to the host structure at the attachment location,    a plurality of radio frequency tags each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items and, when respectively read by the reader, providing identification information particular to that attachment item, and    magnetic connectors for connecting the attachable items to the attachment location;    wherein the reader reads the identification information from a particular tag when the corresponding attachable item is attached to the host structure; and    wherein a different output is generated depending upon which attachable item has been identified by the reader.    
   
   
       27 . A toy as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein the attachable items resemble fish, aquatic animals, and/or sea creatures.  
   
   
       28 . A toy comprising: 
 a host structure which comprises a substantially spherical object with facial expressions thereon;    a radio frequency reader housed by the host structure and positioned in an upper portion of the spherical object;    a plurality of attachable items which resemble hats, masks, wigs and other accessories and which can be selectively attached to the host structure by fitting them around the upper portion of the substantially spherical object, and    a plurality of radio frequency tags each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items and, when respectively read by one of the readers, provides identification information particular to that attachment item; and    wherein the reader reads the identification information from a particular tag when the corresponding attachable item is attached to the host structure; and    wherein a different output is generated depending upon which attachable item has been identified by the reader.    
   
   
       29 . A toy as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein at least some of the different outputs are provided through at least some of the attachment items.  
   
   
       30 . A toy as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the outputs provided through the attachment items comprise lights which are turned on when the attachment item is identified by the reader.  
   
   
       31 . A toy comprising: 
 a host structure which resembles a torso;    a plurality of radio frequency readers housed by the host structure at different attachment locations corresponding to missing body parts;    a plurality of attachable items which resemble the missing body parts and which can be selectively attached to the host structure at the different attachment locations;    a plurality of radio frequency tags each housed by one of the plurality of attachable items and, when respectively read by one of the readers, providing identification information particular to that attachment item, and    wherein each of the readers read the identification information from a particular tag when the corresponding attachable item is attached to the adjacent attachment location; and    wherein a different output is generated depending upon which attachable item has been identified by the reader.    
   
   
       32 . A host structure as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein the host structure resembles a teddy-bear torso and the attachment items resemble teddy-bear body parts.