Toy System Image Recognition Unlocking Virtual Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toy-to-life systems require physical components with communication capabilities to link the physical world with virtual gameplay, which limits user interaction and entertainment, and there is a need for a more straightforward method to associate physical toys with virtual digital representations without the need for specific communication elements.
Innovation Solution
A toy system that uses a combination of image capturing devices and processors to recognize and unlock virtual objects associated with conventional toy construction elements, utilizing unlock codes such as barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags, allowing users to interact with digital games by capturing images of constructed models without requiring adapted toys, and providing an authentication mechanism for proper access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toys are equipped with physical communication components (RFID, NFC), then the system can reliably identify and associate virtual objects with physical toys, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the toy itself and places it in a separate reader device. The toy becomes a simple visual target for image recognition, while the RFID/NFC communication capabilities are moved to the reader, reducing toy complexity while maintaining identification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system where unlock codes serve as mediators between the physical toy and virtual objects. Instead of direct communication between toy and reader, the unlock code acts as an intermediate credential that bridges the physical-digital connection
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional toy construction elements are used without communication components, then the ease of manufacture and user accessibility improve, but the ability to reliably identify and unlock virtual objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/electronic communication components in toys with an optical system. Image capturing devices use computer vision to detect and recognize visual features of conventional toys, substituting physical communication mechanisms with optical recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from electromagnetic signals (RFID/NFC) to visual parameters (color, shape, patterns). By detecting visual features through image processing, the system maintains recognition accuracy while using simpler, conventional toy elements
3Reliability
If an authentication mechanism with unlock codes is implemented, then the security and controlled access to virtual objects improve, but the ease of operation and user interaction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing unlock codes in advance with the physical toy packaging. Users receive the authentication credentials before needing them, allowing seamless integration of security without adding operational steps during gameplay
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service authentication where the reader device automatically processes unlock codes and manages virtual object access without requiring manual intervention. The authentication mechanism operates autonomously, maintaining security while preserving user experience
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a toy system including a plurality of toy construction elements, an image capturing device and a processor. The image capturing device is operable to capture one or more images of a toy construction model constructed from the toy construction elements. The processor is configured to: execute a digital game having computer executable code causing the processor to provide a digital play experience; receive an unlock code indicative of one or more virtual objects; unlock the one or more virtual objects for use in the digital play experience, each virtual object being associated with one of the respective toy construction elements or with a respective toy construction model; receive one or more images captured by said image capturing device; recognize one or more toy construction elements and/or toy construction models within the one or more images; provide a digital play experience involving said first unlocked virtual object.