Interactive Toy Marker Detection and Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interactive toys lack versatility and user-configurability, failing to provide a wide range of entertaining play experiences at affordable costs while allowing easy interaction and reconfiguration with various objects.
Innovation Solution
A user-configurable interactive toy equipped with a reader for detecting markers, a sensor for movement detection, and a processing unit that executes programmed instructions to modify configuration data based on marker and movement interactions, enabling users to customize responses and behaviors through playful interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interactive toys use pre-programmed microcontrollers and RFID readers to enable interaction with play objects, then the toys can provide structured interactive play experiences, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic identification systems (RFID readers and tags) with simple optical markers (colored surfaces detectable by color sensors). This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining interactive play capability. The color sensor detects colored markers on play objects to identify them, eliminating the need for powered RFID tags and complex microcontroller programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive colored markers on play objects instead of expensive RFID tags. These markers are simple colored surfaces that can be printed or applied to toys, construction elements, or game pieces. This approach makes the system cost-effective and accessible while providing sufficient identification capability for interactive play.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interactive toys are designed to be user-configurable and re-configurable, then the play value and versatility increase, but the ease of operation and configuration simplicity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the interactive toy to automatically configure itself by detecting colored markers on play objects. When a play object with a specific color marker is introduced, the toy automatically learns and stores the association between that color and the corresponding play object properties. This self-service configuration eliminates the need for manual programming or complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users during configuration through LED indicators and audible signals. When a play object is presented to the toy, the system detects the color marker and provides feedback confirming successful identification and configuration. This real-time feedback makes the configuration process intuitive and easy to understand for users of all ages.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates in one aspect to a user-configurable interactive toy comprising: a reader for detecting a marker in a proximity of the interactive toy; a sensor for detecting movement of the interactive toy; a memory comprising programmed instructions and configuration data, wherein the programmed instructions are configured to control a response of the interactive toy to a detection of the marker, the response being defined at least in part by the configuration data; and a processing unit configured to execute the programmed instructions according to the configuration data when the processing unit is in a play state. The processing unit is further configured to modify the configuration data in response to a combination of a detection of the marker in a proximity of the interactive toy, and a detection of a movement of the interactive toy when the processing unit is in a configuration state. According to further aspects, a toy system comprising an interactive toy, a configuration device for configuring the user-configurable interactive toy, and a method for performing such a configuration are provided.