Interactive toy with embedded vision system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8998671-B2
Application number	US-89575310-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2010
Priority date	Sep 30, 2010
Publication date	Apr 7, 2015
Grant date	Apr 7, 2015

Abstract

Systems and associated methods for providing a play device capable of capturing an image stream through a camera module and process the images through computer vision software. Embodiments provide interactive toys that recognize a set of pre-programmed images and provide responses to images presented by a user. For example, embodiments provide for a toy that requests a certain image and provides a response based upon whether the user presents the correct image.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An interactive toy system comprising:
a toy comprising one or more interactive functions;
the toy being configured to provide audio output asking a user to show the toy one or more objects;
one or more video capturing modules configured to capture image information corresponding to the one or more objects and send the image information to one or more video processing modules,
the one or more video processing modules generating recognition information designating whether the image information matches one or more stored images via determining that the image information includes image information selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined image sequence and a predetermined image combination;
one or more microprocessors configured to receive the recognition information;
wherein, responsive to a match, the one or more microprocessors activate one or more interactive functions based on the recognition information received, the interactive function comprising asking the user for additional image information of another one or more objects associated with the captured image information; and
one or more video capturing modules configured to capture the additional image information of the another one or more objects.

2. The interactive toy system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more interactive functions are selected from the group consisting of: motion, sound, light, and color.

3. The interactive toy system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more stored images are selected from the group comprising: numbers, letters, mathematical functions, colors, shapes, words, toys, clothing, and patterns.

4. The interactive, toy system according to claim 3 , wherein the one or more stored images comprise a mathematical function and wherein activating the one or more interactive functions comprises:
responding to the one or more microprocessors receiving recognition information matching an image of a mathematical function by asking the user for the answer to the mathematical function.

5. The interactive toy system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more video capturing modules comprise a CMOS camera module.

6. The interactive toy system according to claim 1 , wherein to activate the one or more interactive functions activates a function selected from the group consisting of: motion planning, gameplay response, storytelling, and educational applications.

7. The interactive toy system according to claim 1 , further comprising: one or more objects matching the one or more stored images.

8. The interactive toy system according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more objects matching the one or more stored images are selected from the group consisting of: one or more flashcards, one or more books, one or more articles of clothing, and one or more toys.

9. The interactive toy system according to claim 1 , wherein activating the one or more interactive functions based on the recognition information received comprises requesting a specific image.

10. A method of providing an interactive toy comprising:
providing a toy comprising one or more interactive functions;
embedding one or more video capturing modules, one or more video processing modules, and one or more microprocessors in the toy;
configuring the toy to provide audio output asking a user to show an the toy one or more objects;
configuring the one or more video capturing modules to capture image information corresponding to the one or more objects and send the image information to the one or more video processing modules, the one or more video processing modules generating recognition information designating whether the image information matches one or more stored images via determining that the image information includes image information selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined image sequence and a predetermined image combination;
configuring the one or more microprocessors to receive the recognition information;
wherein, responsive to a match, the one or more microprocessors activate one or more interactive functions based on the recognition information received, the interactive function comprising asking the user for additional image information of another one or more objects associated with the captured image information; and
configuring the one or more video capturing modules to capture the additional image information of the another one or more objects.

11. The method of providing an interactive toy according to claim 10 , wherein the one or more interactive functions are selected from the group consisting of: motion, sound, light, and color.

12. The method of providing an interactive toy according to claim 10 , wherein the one or more stored images are selected from the group consisting of: numbers, letters, mathematical functions, colors, shapes, words, toys, clothing, and patterns.

13. The interactive toy system according to claim 12 , wherein the one or more stored images comprise a mathematical function and wherein activating the one or more interactive functions comprises:
responding to the one or more microprocessors receiving recognition information matching an image of a mathematical function by asking the user for the answer to the mathematical function.

14. The method of providing an interactive toy according to claim 10 , wherein the one or more video capturing modules comprise a CMOS camera module.

15. A method, comprising:
capturing, with a video capturing module disposed within a toy, image information corresponding to one or more objects presented by a user;
processing the image information to identify at least one of an image sequence and an image combination;
determining, with a processor, that the at least one of the image sequence and the image combination matches image information selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined image sequence and a predetermined image combination;
generating recognition information, with the processor, designating whether a match has been identified;
activating, responsive to a match, an interactive function based on the predetermined image sequence or predetermined image combination recognized, the interactive function comprising asking the user for additional image information of another one or more objects associated with the captured image information; and
capturing, with a video capturing module, the additional image information of the another one or more objects.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined image sequence comprises a sequential presentation by a user of images over time.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined image sequence comprises a positional, sequential presentation of images by a user at the same time.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined image combination comprises a combination of two or more images contained in a single object presented by a user.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined image combination comprises a combination of two or more images contained in multiple objects presented by a user.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the multiple objects are presented by a user at the same time.

Assignees

• Heatherly Christopher
• Ong Kenlip
• Traylor Scott
• Donadio Christine
• Czirjak Liane
• Osterman Leah
• Bach Jordan
• Disney Entpr Inc

Inventors

• Heatherly Christopher
• Ong Kenlip
• Traylor Scott
• Donadio Christine
• Czirjak Liane
• Osterman Leah
• Bach Jordan

Classifications

• G09B7/02

  of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student · CPC title

• A63H2200/00

  Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls · CPC title

• G09B5/06 Primary

  with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied · CPC title