Configurable location-aware toy capable of communicating with like toys and associated system infrastructure for communicating with such toys

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling movement of a self-propelled toy that interacts with human users, receiving assistance from those users in reaching a destination, and communicates with other self-propelled toys, with human users, and with social media forums via various networks.

1 . A method comprising:
 moving a self-propelled toy along a route towards a first destination;   transmitting information from the self-propelled toy to a receiving device that is part of: another self-propelled toy, a mobile computing device, or a communications connection to the Internet; and   seeking human assistance in surmounting an obstacle when the self-propelled toy determines that an obstacle is insurmountable.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the human assistance is a manual driving of the self-propelled toy. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeking is audible. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeking is visual. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeking is wirelessly transmitted to one or more computing devices via a wireless communication. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the seeking is wirelessly transmitted to one or more computing devices via the Internet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the seeking includes transmission of a text message. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeking details a type of assistance that the self-propelled toy desires. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a self-propelled toy comprising:
 moving a self-propelled toy along a route between a current location and a first destination;   receiving route information from a human user or another self-propelled toy;   modifying the route based on the received route information; and   publishing information about the self-propelled toy via a network.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the publishing includes a sending of one or more text messages to a group of mobile computing devices. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the publishing includes posting information on the Internet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the posting is performed via a website. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the website is a social media website. 
     
     
         14 . A self-propelled toy comprising:
 a propulsion system;   a communication module inclusive of an Internet connection;   a location sensor;   a guidance module configured to follow a route, wherein the route is selected based on the toy's current location, a first destination, and one or more waypoints between the toy's current location and the first destination, and wherein the route is modified based on route data received from another self-propelled toy or from a user's computing device;   a human interaction module configured to request assistance from one or more human users; and   a power source.   
     
     
         15 . The self-propelled toy of  claim 14 , wherein the self-propelled toy is a robotic ball that moves by rolling. 
     
     
         16 . The self-propelled toy of  claim 14 , wherein the human interaction module is further configured to reward the one or more humans that assist the self-propelled toy.