Toy Transponder for Physical Play Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing virtual content in virtual spaces rely on gameplay stages or levels, lacking real-world physical play data integration, which limits dynamic user character and content updates.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first toy object with a transponder, power source, and electronic storage that receives and stores play information from physical interactions, allowing a reader to detect and convey this data to a gaming system for updating virtual content and user relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual content management is based on gameplay stages or levels, then virtual content can be updated according to player progression, but real-world physical play data cannot be integrated into the virtual space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transponder as an intermediary device that bridges the physical and virtual worlds. The transponder is attached to physical toys and stores identification information that can be read by a reader device, thereby mediating the transfer of physical play data into the virtual gaming system. This intermediary mechanism enables the integration of real-world physical play information without disrupting the existing virtual content management structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual tracking of physical play (questionnaires and lab studies) with an automated electronic system. The transponder and reader combination creates an automatic data capture mechanism that eliminates the need for manual data collection methods, thereby substituting mechanical/manual processes with an electronic information transfer system that seamlessly integrates physical play data into the virtual space.
2Loss of information
If information about toy usage is gathered via questionnaires and lab studies, then consumer behavior data can be collected, but real-time dynamic updates of virtual content are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual data collection methods (questionnaires and lab studies) with an automated electronic data capture system using transponders and readers. This substitution enables real-time collection of toy usage information as children play with the toys, eliminating the delays and inefficiencies associated with manual data gathering methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder-equipped toys automatically generate and store play data without requiring active participation from consumers or researchers. The system performs self-service data collection by automatically capturing information whenever a toy is played with and scanned by a reader, thereby eliminating the need for manual data entry and processing.
3Loss of information
If transponders are integrated into toy objects to store play information, then physical play data can be captured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data storage and identification functionality from the main toy structure by implementing it as a separate, self-contained transponder component. This extracted module can be independently manufactured and then integrated into various toys, thereby minimizing the impact on overall device complexity while still enabling play data capture functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into multiple different toy types and configurations. By creating a standardized, multi-functional transponder module that handles identification, data storage, and communication functions, the patent reduces the need for custom complex systems for each individual toy, thereby managing device complexity across the product line.
4Adaptability or versatility
If readers detect toy objects to convey information to gaming systems, then virtual content can be updated with play data, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reader functionality with existing gaming system infrastructure, such as televisions, consoles, or computer systems. By integrating the reader device into already-present household entertainment equipment, the patent avoids creating a completely separate complex detection system, thereby reducing overall system complexity while still enabling play data capture and virtual content update capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The system described in this disclosure may be configured to read information stored on toy objects that indicates whether the toy objects have been used and/or are being used with other toy objects, gaming systems, and/or other devices. The system described in this disclosure may be configured to facilitate an association of the information stored on the toy objects with virtual entities in a virtual space, update virtual content associated with the virtual entities, determine relationships between users, and/or other perform other functions based on the information stored on the toy objects. The information stored on the toy objects may be updated responsive to the toy objects being used by users with other toy objects, gaming systems, and/or other devices. The use of the toy objects by users may include two or more users playing together with toy objects and/or playing with gaming systems associated with the toy objects.