Physical Toy Registration for Virtual Game Character Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video games lack a physical component that allows players to interact with representative objects, creating a distinct separation between the game play world and the real world, limiting the immersive experience.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a physical toy with a corresponding virtual toy, where the physical toy can be registered with a gaming platform to unlock and sync the virtual toy within a video game, allowing players to control and enhance their virtual game characters using the physical toy, with options for purchasing and refunding virtual toys based on physical toy ownership.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a physical toy is introduced to enhance immersion, then the immersive experience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the physical toy with the virtual game character by creating a hybrid system where the physical object (toy) and digital entity (virtual character) are linked through unique identifiers. The physical toy contains identification data that connects it to its virtual counterpart, allowing seamless interaction between physical and digital realms without requiring complex separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multi-functionality by enabling the same toy to serve both as a physical collectible and as a controller/identifier for virtual game characters. The toy can be used for traditional play, registered with the gaming platform, and then control virtual characters, making it a universal object that bridges multiple functions and worlds.
2Reliability
If a registration system is implemented to link physical and virtual toys, then the synchronization is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-installing unique identification data within the physical toy during manufacturing. This pre-prepared identification mechanism eliminates the need for complex registration procedures, as the toy comes ready-to-register with embedded identifiers that automatically link to virtual characters upon first use.
Solution Approach 2:
The registration process is designed to be self-service oriented, where the system automatically detects and registers the physical toy when it is first connected to the gaming platform. The embedded identification data enables automatic recognition and linking without requiring manual input from the user, making the process simple and intuitive.
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for physical toy and virtual toy interactions are disclosed. According to aspects of the invention, a system for purchasing a physical toy and a corresponding virtual toy comprises a video game console, a physical toy, and a virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy. The virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy may be made available in a video game played on the video game console. The physical toy may be purchased by a user of the system from an external merchant. The virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy may be separately purchased by the user from a purchasing system within the video game. The physical toy may be registered with the gaming platform. If the user registers the physical toy with the gaming platform and the user previously purchased the virtual toy, the system refunds to the user the purchase price of virtual toy.