Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
OBJECT RECOGNITION
TOYS AND GAMES
This application claims priority of copending U.S.
6 provisional patent application Serial 60/335,908, which in
its entirety is incorporated by reference herein.
FIEhD OF THE INVENTION
i1 This invention relates generally to toys and games,
particularly to toys and games that identify objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
16
Toys are known which can respond to radio frequency
(RF) signals, e. g., toy vehicles having radio frequency
transmitting remote control units. Such toys typically
respond to simple signals such as "forward," "stop" and
21 "reverse." They require batteries in both the toy and
transmitter.
RFID (radio frequency identification) transponder
technologies are known in the prior art and used in retail
store environments to sound an alert when products for
26 which payment has not been made are removed from the
premises, and in other detection systems such as automated
toll-collection systems for highways, bridges and tunnels,
e. g. "E~ Pass." While commercial RFID reader/interro-
Bator circuits have been available in industrial systems
31 such as in building access and security control systems,
highway toll-taking systems such as EZ-Pass, Fast Trak,
1
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 and the likes, such circuits can cost from fifty dollars
to several hundreds of dollars and thus are not suitable
for use in a toy or game type product.
These commercial systems also involve a central or
stationary fixed location RFID reader/interrogator detect-
6 ing and recognizing items containing RFID tagged ICs,
e. g. vehicles moving through toll gates using EZ Passes,
customers filling in their gas tanks by waving RFID tagged
cards, employees opening closed doors by Waving RFID
tagged security cards, books being checked in and out of
11 libraries, etc. To obtain a large/long sensing and detec-
tion area in these systems, the associated antenna or
energy and data-coupling element is generally larger than
the RFID reader/interrogator chip.
16 RFID electronic components, "reader/iriterrogator" and
"tag" circuits, are presently available in small, inte-
grated circuit (IC) packages from several semiconductor
vendors such as Philips, Motorola, Texas Instruments,
Microchip, and Atmel, to name just a few suppliers.
21
U.S. Patents 6,361,396 and 6,364,735 disclose a
method and apparatus, which allow one toy to identify a
plurality of objects provided. The system relies on the
inductive coupling of the toy with a resonant frequency
26 tank circuit contained within the object to be identified.
Physical contact between the toy and the object is not
required.
The inventions disclosed in these two patents, how-
ever, have several limitations. One example is the total
31 number of objects that the master unit can recognize, as
well as the total number of objects that can be simulta-
2
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 neously recognized and distinguished, is limited. Fur-
thermore, when dealing with multiple objects, a number of
discrete frequencies in combinations have to be transmit-
ted to be able to determine the sum/differences in fre-
guencies to identify objects. Nor with the method of the
above-mentioned patents can any information or changing or
variable information, such as quantities, be written back
to the object and stored for later recall, revisions, or
can additional information be written or updated. This
limits the play patterns and game play actions possible.
11 The game industry is always looking for ways to
enhance game units and game/play patterns, while keeping
the cost of production down. The present invention ful-
fills this need.
16
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the disclosure, contactless or
remote identification of objects by toy dolls and other
21 toys can be achieved through the use of RF (radio fre-
quency) transponders, commonly referred to and known to
those skilled in the art as RFID Tag integrated circuits,
"tag ICs," or "tags." A master/host/server toy or game
unit (also herein referred to as "master unit") can iden-
25 tify and recognize something that is placed within range
of the host without any physical or mechanical contact
through the application of RFID technology. Objects to be
recognized and identified by the master/host/server toy or
game unit need only contain a small RFID tag transponder
31 integrated circuit chip (tag IC) and a suitable RF antenna
or energy and signal-information coupling element. Such
3
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s objects do not require a self-contained battery or other
power source to be recognized. No optical code (e. g. bar
code), invisible ink, ultraviolet or infrared ink is
required, nor is mechanical or physical contact necessary
between the recognizing toy and object to be recognized.
6 Tag ICs can respond differently from one another when
interrogated by an appropriately programmed mas
ter/host/server toy or game unit. The tag ICs transmit
and receive information in the form of data bit streams to
and from the master/host/server toy or game unit. The tag
1s ICs receive their operating power from the RF energy
transmitted by the master/host/server at the same time as
data exchange occurs. The tag ICs do not require their
own separate power source.
In addition to a toy or game master/hast/server
s6 reading an object's identity from its tag IC chip, tag IC
chips can receive information in the form of many digital
bits written back and stored indefinitely in non-volatile
digital or analog memory onboard the tag IC chip. This
feature enables the creation of play substance
21 quantitative and nonquantitative attributes such as in the
form of kid's money, or a portable store of value, that
can be held, transferred, traded, or otherwise exchanged
with compatible devices, such as trading cards or "play
money," which contain read/writeable RFID tag ICs
26 containing non-volatile, electrically reprogrammable
memory bits, utilizing appropriately programmed mas-
ter/host/server toy or game units containing an RFID
reader/interrogator circuit and suitable antenna. (The
word "write" is used herein to also include rewrite and
31 update. This write, rewrite, and update can be repeated a
4
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s number of times as required or designed by ,the game play
or toy play-patterns.)
This feature, for example, also could be used with a
doll to simulate consumption and replenishment of a
resource, such as pretend milk in a toy milk bottle given
to the doll. When a child presents a "full" milk bottle
with an RFID tag IC inside it programmed as "full", then
the doll can simulate drinking the milk, and the
master/host/server can gradually reprogram the RFID tag IC
in the milk bottle to be less and less full, as indicated
is by the setting of some selected data bits in the milk
bottle RFID tag IC memory, via the rewritea'ble feature.
When the milk bottle is "empty" the doll could possibly
cry and ask for more milk. Then the toy milk bottle would
have to be taken over to a different master/host/server
16 toy, perhaps in the form of a cow or a dairy, so as to be
"refilled" by way of having the selected data memory bits
of the milk bottle RFID tag IC be reprogrammed
accordingly.
A trading card, a game-playing card, a teaching flash
2Z card with visual information printed on it, a game-playing
token, coin or piece of currency, or other ,small object
can be provided with an embedded RFID tag chip and
suitable antenna loop or coil, factory programmed With
specific bits of read-only data in the tag IC memory. This
26 card can be recognized by a talking doll, for example,
that can then recite information about the card. The
information can exceed that printed on the~card and, for
example, can contain secret information about the card
that can only be accessed by a master/host/server toy or
31 game unit. A doll can then recognize and recite
information about the trading card. In other words, at
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 least some of the recited information may be stored on the
card. Possibly most or even all of the recited
information may be stored on the card. This can greatly
minimize the requirement on the doll memory to store such
recited information.
A tag IC with a suitable small antenna loop or coil
can also be placed inside a small plastic figure, such as
an action figure molded from plastic, that can be
recognized by the doll or a reader device.'
Such master/host/server toy or game units can play
games such as spelling games, arithmetic games, shape and
other recognition games, board games, duels games, battle
games, wagering or betting games (e. g. betting on random
or statistical behaviors for fun), and other games.
Master/host/server toy or game units can be employed to
16 recognize trading cards and other two and three dimen-
sioned collectibles. A master/host/server toy or game unit
can act on a tag IC in a collectible to change its data
thereby selectively making it compatible or incompatible
with other master/host/server toy or game units, thereby
2~ providing the ability to "catch" or "collect" a specific
object or flash or trading card by a specific owner, after
Which it cannot be caught or collected by another, unless
the owner agrees to trade it electronically to another
owner, using the master/host/server toy or game
26 controller.
Objects to be recognized and master unit toys may be
in any two or three-dimensional form. Objects typically
include things such as flash cards containing letters,
numbers, words, pictures, animals, etc. Objects may also
31 include miniature objects such as toy baby bottles, food
items, common household objects, discs, tokens, pictures,
6
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 coins, currencies, houses, etc. Action figures,
figurines, vehicles, animals may also be used as objects,
as well as master unit toys.
In another aspect of the invention, an RFID
6 reader/interrogator cartridge or accessory may be
received, plugged into, and/or connected and operated by
game/computing devices such as hand-held electronic game
computing devices, PDAs (personal digital assistant),
hand-held computers, tablet computers, and the like - for
11 example, GAMEBOY and GAME BOY ADVANCE units from NINTEN-
DO~, PALM~M hand-held computing devices from Palm, Inc., or
iPaq hand-held computing devices from HP. Alternatively,
the RFID reader/interrogator may be built-in into these
game/computing devices.
15 The RFID reader/interrogator accessory a.s generally
plugged into the game/computing device. The RFID reader
accessory may also have an interface to accept and connect
game cartridges or game packs, Which contain ROM
programs) to operate the game or program with the RFID
21 reader/interrogator accessory.
Game-play operations of these game/computing devices,
e. g. video game or hand-held computing devices,
generally involve reading information from RFID tag chips
that are embedded in various objects or placed in objects
26 at various locations. This reading of information may
also involve modifying variable play substance values,
such as adding power and points, or just generally
enhancing the game play. This game-play operations may
also be used for educational game purposes.
31
7
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1A is a perspective view of one type of toy
which can serve as a master/host/server or master unit toy
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
6 invention;
Fig. lB is a perspective view of another type of toy
which can serve as a master/host/server toy a.n accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a functional schematic block diagram of a
is master/host/server toy and the play objects which it is
intended to sense in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing orthogonal antennas in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
16 Fig. 4 a.s a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit
using four loop antennas and eight MOSFET transistors in
accordance with an embodiment the invention;
Fig. 5 is a functional schematic diagram of an
exemplary master unit that includes a voice/sound
2s generator or synthesiser in accordance with an embodiment
the invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary
master/host/server toy that includes a visual display
generator/controller in accordance with an embodiment of
26 the invention;
Fig. 7A is an elevation view of another preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7B is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention shown in Fig. 3A;
8
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s Fig. 7C is an elevation view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 7A, with a modificatioi
Fig. 8A is a front elevation view of still another
preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8B is a side elevation view of the preferred
6 embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 8A;
Fig. 9A is a plan view of a hand-held game device
with a radio frequency identification (RFID) cartridge and
an exemplary play object to be recognized, constructed in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
11 Fig. 9B is a like view of Fig. 9A showing how a game
cartridge, an RFID cartridge, and a hand-held device
interconnect with each other;
Fig. 9C is a perspective view of a video game device
master unit with a built-in RFID reader/interrogator in
16 accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9D is a plan view of,a hand-held computer, such
as a PDA, with a built-a.n RFID reader/interrogator in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 10A is a flowchart to handle and process owner-
22 ship and value information of play objects~in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 10B is an exemplary master/host/server toy
processing transfer of play objects - transactor, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 11 is another embodiment of a tolt or game with a
master/host/server vehicle and a number of exemplary play
objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 12A is another embodiment of a toy or game with
31 a master/host/server wand or hand-held unit and a number
9
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
of exemplary play objects, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 12B is another embodiment of the hand-held unit,
wand, scanner, or waver of Fig. 12A in which the circuit
elements of the RFID RI master unit are partitioned such
that the antenna/energy and data-coupling element together
with the RF circuit portions are in the hand-held portion
and the remaining circuitry of the mater unit is in a
separate section connected by a group of wires a.n a cable;
and;
11 Fig. 12C is a like view of Fig. 12A but with the
master/host/server interacting with a play object with a
number of RFID tag ICs;
Fig. 13 a.s another embodiment of a toy or game with
two exemplary master/host/server toys and a number of
16 exemplary action figure play objects, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 14A a.s yet another embodiment of a toy or game
with a master/host/server tractor and a number of
exemplary play objects, in accordance with an embodiment
a1 of the invention;
Figs. 14B through 14E illustrate how a
master/host/server toy interacts with an exemplary play
object, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
26 Fig. 15 is yet other embodiments of
master/host/server toys, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention;
Fig. 16 is yet another embodiment of a board game
master/host/server interacting with coin play objects, in
3s accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s Fig. 17 is still another embodiment of a board game
with a number of RFID tag IC and acting as a play object,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
6 DETAINED DESCRIPTION
OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In a first embodiment of the invention, RFID
technology is used to make a doll appear to "see" flash
~s cards or other objects, recognize them by name, and engage
in play activity with them.
For example, in a "shape" game, the doll asks a child
to show or give the doll a specific shape, such as "the
blue square" or "the red triangle". The doll has a small
16 loop antenna inside a hollow cavity in the chest area, so
that as flash cards or objects are presented to the doll
to "hold in its arms", a master/host/server toy or game
unit program can detect them and respond with a voice in
the appropriate manner. (Master/host/server is herein
~1 also referred to as master unit.)
Furthermore, the sensing coil or coils, or sensing
antenna coupling elements of the master unit contained in
the doll, can be located in different places, such as the
head, or in a hand or foot, to localize the region where
26 the target object will be detected. (Note that the
embodiments of the invention are not limited to having
coils as the only form of antenna or energy/signal
coupling elements. Antennas can include a number of
forms/elements, including, coils, loops of wire, or other
31 conducting materials, plates, areas, surface, or other
forms. The antenna and energy and signal information
11
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s coupling elements may also include capacitiwe coupling as
well as inductive coupling means.)
In addition, the doll could include not just one, but
multiple sensing antenna coils, located in various places
on the doll, and which are switched on and off by control
6 of the host microprocessor system. Such locations could
include a coil in each hand of the doll, a coil a.n each
foot, a coil a.n the doll' s head, and a coil a.n the doll' s
abdominal cavity. Such a doll could play games with
multiple objects, but might also play games with a single
11 object by directing the user to sequentially position that
object at different antenna, and recognizing and reporting
back to the user as to the success or failure of each
attempted positioning.
In conjunction with the selectively switching of the
16 active antenna coil, the doll could ask the child to place
a specific object in the doll's right hand, or in its left
hand, for example. Utilizing a voice synthesizer, the
doll can ask for specific shapes to be given to it, and
then for them to be taken away, one at a time, with
2i responses given as to whether each correct shape was
provided.
It is also possible that more than one or all antenna
be active simultaneously. This way a doll, for example,
can ask for specific shapes to be handed to it. The
26 shapes may be placed, for example, in either hands and
still be recognized accordingly.
Objects presented to the doll can have numbers or
spelling words which can be enunciated by an electronic
voice synthesizer in the doll. The master unit can make
31 animal sounds or other sound effects corresponding to a
picture card or sculpture of a presented animal or other
12
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 sound effect such as a fire engine or motor car. The
master/host/server or master unit may be provided with
recorded or synthesized music for playing different songs
and tunes, perhaps in different voices or with different
sounding musical instrument sounds such as a trumpet or a
6 flute, a violin or a trombone, and also with many
different percussion sounds such as drums, bells,
whistles, and other sound effects.
The master/host/server or master unit~may also
provide user presentations that are completely nonaudio.
~1 For example, visual presentation on a display, tactile
presentation (e. g. vibrating master/host/server toy), and
olfactory presentation may also be presented. The master
unit, however, has to include appropriate components to
handle such presentation. Audio and nonaudio
16 presentations may also be combined.
In accordance with the disclosure, a doll or other
master/host/server or master unit can remotely recognize
and identify an object, flash card, token, or other thing
with no physical or mechanical contact. The toy or doll
21 or game can recognize just one thing at a time, or a
multiplicity of many things at the same time (that is
within a few hundred milliseconds of one another) by
utilizing the so-called "anti-collision" feature of
certain RFID tag ICs which are commercially available.
Object detection in general is handled by one or more
programs operating on microcontroller ICs in master
units, in conjunction With RFID reader/interrogators.
Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B of the drawings, there
are shown a girl doll 110 and a baby doll 120,
3s respectively, each of Which can contain an "engine" in the
form of a master/host/server toy or game unit 103. In
13
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s addition to an integral antenna 105 located within the
master/host/server toy or game unit (master unit) 103
mounted in the doll's chest cavity, another antenna 105a
can be connected to the master unit 103 and mounted within
the head of the dolls 110 and 120.
The characteristics of the antenna, such as number,
placement, and shape, may vary depending on toy design.
The dolls 110, 102, for example, may include additional
antennas such as an antenna in an external hair band
around the head 105d, inside the doll head and around the
11 face area 105g, 105m, a.n either or both frames of the
eyeglass 105f, in a necklace 105h, in either or both hands
of the doll 105b, 1051, in either or both feet or shoes of
the doll 105c, 105j, i.n the holder 105i, in the tummy
105k, etc.
l6 ,
Each of the dolls 110 and 120 is shown interacting
with a play object 108. The girl doll 110 is interacting
with one in the form of a card, while the boy doll 120 is
interacting with one a.n the form of an action figure.
2s Play objects, as well as master unit toys, may be in any
two or three-dimensional form, such as bottles 106,
trading cards, pictures, flowers, stuff dolls, lamps,
grocery items (e. g. fruits, milk cartons, vegetables,
etc.), vehicles, currencies, animals, etc.
26 The girl doll 110 may interact with a bottle play
object 106 such that the bottle may be identified as full,
half-full, or empty in a game or play pattern. It may
also identify cards, such as identifying the shapes print-
ed on the card. The boy doll 120 may identify and
31 interact with various action figures according to the play
14
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s pattern program controlling the microcontroller or microprocessor
Referring now to Fig. 2, there are shown a plurality
of play objects 108 that each include a nonself-powered
RFID transponder tag IC 108a and an RF antenna 108b. The
play object may be, as discussed above, a.n any form such
as a flash card, a trading card, or small object molded
from a non-conducting, non-RF-shielded material.
The RFID tag ICs 108a are nonself-powered, in the
sense, that they do not need their own power source, like
11 a battery. They obtain their power from the master unit
via inductive or capacitive coupling of sufficient energy
using the antennas or energy coupling elements. No
physical contact is required to convey the~operating
energy and power to the tag IC.
i6 Radio signal communication of power and data to the
play objects may be accomplished by various means,
including inductive and/or capacitive coupling -
primarily by magnetic and/or electric field components of
the electromagnetic radio signal.
Fig. 2 also shows a master/host/server toy or game
unit 103 (master unit) having an RF transmitting and
receiving antenna sensing element or coil 105. This
antenna may be of the primarily inductive coupling or
primarily capacitive coupling type.
26 The master antenna element or coil 105 is tuned to
the resonant operating frequency of the RFID tag ICs, and
their associated antennas. The master antenna element or
coils 105 are operatively connected to a reader/interroga-
tor circuit 207.
31 The master/host/server or game unit 103 and the RFID
tag ICs, regardless of the number of RFID tag ICs,
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s generally need to only communicate with each other using
one fixed frequency. Because the RFID tag circuit
operates at a single fixed frequency, the resonant circuit
can be tuned for optimum Q, the quality factor, and thus
perform with maximum energy coupling efficiency, which
6 also reduces the amount of power required from the
batteries or other power source to the master unit. The
life of a battery or batteries in battery-operated toys
thus may be extended as a result of the RF operation at
one fixed frequency. Multiple frequency operation to
Z1 communicate with more than one RFID tag ICs is
unnecessary. Backup frequency, however, may also be
implemented as part of the toy design.
The frequency of the radio signal can be at various
standard frequencies used by the industry in standard
16 components, including the one hundred twenty five (125)
kHz (nominal) band, the thirteen (13) MHz (nominal) band,
or other frequencies that may now be used or in the future
by RFID technologies, such as fifty MHz, one hundred MHz,
VHF, UHF, SHF, or SUFH frequency bands.
2s The circuit 207 transmits power to, and receives~data
transmitted from, the RFID tag ICs 8a within its range.
The circuit 207 may also transmit data to the tag ICs.
The play object 108 may typically be positioned about one
to four inches from the master antenna 105, or possibly
further. In certain play patterns, the detection range
may be as minimal as one tenth of an inch to as many,as
twelve to twenty-four inches or more.
When the reader circuit 207 transmits energy to a
tag IC, that tag IC uses the power to transmit its unique
3s or identity data back to the circuit 207. The master unit
103 then uses that unique data to identify 'or "recognize"
16
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s that object 108. That unique data may be serial numbers.
Thus, a card containing a picture of a horse can be
distinguished from one containing a picture of a pig.
In one embodiment, each play object in a product line
of toys is unique. This may be accomplished by having a
unique piece of information associated with each play
object within that product line. Serial numbers may be
used. ~A smaller or larger collection of unique play
objects may also be defined.
Serial numbers may be assigned and written in the
is RFID tag ICs during the manufacturing process. In one
embodiment, a range of serial numbers or a particular
serial number a.s assigned to an entity, such as apples.
Thus, when a serial number within this range or that
particular serial number is read from an RFID tag IC, the
16 master unit accordingly and appropriately recognizes this
object as an apple.
In another embodiment, serial numbers are not used,
but rather a different identification information is used.
In this embodiment, a set of ASCII data is stored to
2s identify that object. For example, if the object is an
apple, the ASCII equivalent of the word "apple" is stored
in the RFID tag IC. When that object is detected, the
identification information, in this case, "apple" is read.
The master unit accordingly recognizes this object as an
26 apple. This ASCII information may also be used by a
text-to-speech synthesizer to say the word "apple."
Serial number and identification information may both be
used in an object.
It is also possible that data is not unique to a set
3s of play objects. For example, it a.s possible that in the
play-pattern or game, there are two red cards, and are
17
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s accordingly identified as such, for example, having the
same serial number. Part of the game play is determining
whether the two play objects are the same or different.
The uniqueness or degree of uniqueness of play
objects in a collection, whether in a product line, a.n a
6 master unit/play objects combination, in a toy package,
and the like, depends on product design, marketing, toy
packaging, game play pattern, etc.
The reader/interrogator circuit 207 is operatively
connected to a microcontroller/microcomputer 213. The
is microcomputer 213 has a microprocessor. The
microprocessor is connected to one or more ROMs (read-only
memories) 214 that contain program code (or control
program) for controlling the responses of the
master/host/server or master unit 103 to the data received
16 from the tag ICs 108a. The data from the tag IC
"triggers" or causes the response of the host unit 103.
The program code or control program i.s generally a
set of executable object code or machine instructions. It
can be written in a variety of source code programming
2i languages and then compiled and/or assembled into executa-
ble machine code or instructions appropriate for the
target microcontroller. For example, the control program
may be written in the C programming language and compiled
into runtime object code. The control program could also
26 be written in the native assembly language ,suitable for
the microcontroller and assembled into run-time machine
executable object code.
The control program operate all aspects of the input/
output control circuitry of the master/host/server or
3s master unit, including the control of the RFID transmitter
and receiver master circuit and the control of its read
18
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 and write modulation of the RF carrier signal used to
interface to the RFID tag chip transponders (play
objects) .
The microprocessor is also connected to RAM (random
access memory) for temporary storage of operating data.
6 Provision for connecting additional ROMS 215 to expand
operating functions and modes is provided in the form of
external cartridge connectors 217 which allow additional
ROMs 215 to be piggybacked onto or daisy chained to the
basic ROMs 214. The microcomputer 213 may have a
11 plurality of miscellaneous I/O lines to arm/hand switches
and other doll sensors.
The microcontroller includes various input and output
lines, which can control other portions of the electronic
circuit of the master unit, monitor pushbuttons or
16 mechanical switch contacts, send and/or receive serial
data streams, control available visual indicators, such as
LEDs, and perform general input/output control for the
entire master unit.
A voice/sound synthesizer circuit 219 is connected to
2i the microcomputer 213 for converting digital data signals
generated by the microcomputer in response to or caused by
the data received from the interrogated tag ICs 108a to
analog voice, music or other sound signals. The sound
circuit 219 may include CELP, ADPCM, or the like.
26 As noted above, at least some, and possibly most or
all, of the data signals generated may be data returned
from the memory of the object 108. The analog sound
signals are then applied to the input terminals of an
audio amplifier 221 for driving a speaker 223 which
31 reproduces the sounds for listening at an audible level.
19
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s The microcomputer 213 and its associated components,
including the microprocessor, the voice/sound synthesizer
circuit 219, and the amplifier 221 are powered by
batteries contained in a power supply 225. For example,
four AA or C alkaline batteries may be used. DC operating
power can also be supplied from main AC line voltage by
way of a suitable step-down transformer, rectifier and
filter circuit as is commonly found in small, plug-in
power supplies, so as to save on use of batteries when in
a fixed location. DC operating power could also be
11 supplied from twelve (12) VDC found a.n motor vehicles such
as cars, trucks, busses, campers and even airplanes, by
way of a suitable electrical connector and cable connected
to a DC voltage regulator in the doll engine 103.
16 "Smart trading and game-playing cards" are another
toy or game application of RFID technology according to
the invention. Trading cards - e. g. baseball cards,
football cards, and character cards, game-playing cards -
e. g. action cards, duel and battle game cards, and role-
21 playing cards, and other collectibles can each contain an
embedded RFID tag IC for enabling novel uses for trading
cards and collectibles a.n conjunction with dolls, and
various other master/host/server toy or game units. The
master/server/host unit can then detect each collectible
26 as it is added to the collection and maintain information
about the inventory of collectibles.
Each collectible can have, stored a.n its tag IC, data
which associates the collectible with its owner. No other
master unit toy or game unit can recognize, transfer, or
3s exchange the collectible until its owner enables the
stored data to be changed for associating it with a new
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z owner's master unit toy or game unit. That is, once a
specific figure or other collectible is "caught" or
"collected" once by someone, it cannot be caught or
collected again by someone else, unless it is "traded" by
the original owner to a new owner.
In still another embodiment of the invention, an RFID
tag IC can be used to store the "collection" and
"ownership" values in the memory of a tag IC embedded in
an owner or collectors "master card," and to allow for
trading or exchange of value with another owner/collector
for creating "kid's money."
In many conventional trading card games, points are
gained and lost during the play of the game. With these
smart trading cards, points and values may be read and
written during the course or play of the game.
16 Furthermore, because these smart trading cards obtain its
power from the master unit, a power source is not needed
to be directly attached to these smart cards.
Smart trading cards may be implemented using
inductive coupling with coils or using capacitive coupling
2i with electrodes formed from printing conductive inks on
the surface of the cards. Such conductive inks include
black inks with "carbon black," i. e. conductive carbon
particles are blended with conventional or Water-based
printing inks, and are printed with standard offset,
26 lithographic or other printing processes.
Conductive inks may be aluminum, silver, gold, or
other conductive materials printed on the back or inside
surfaced of the cards.
With such smart trading cards and other play objects
31 (described herein), the play substance values and
information stored in the RFID tag ICs may be read and
21
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 updated (written) during the course of the game. Such
play values/information may include virtual money, virtual
weight of precious metal or a useful commodity, or virtual
volume of valuable liquid for barter or negotiation in a
game. It may also include virtual characteristic or
attribute values quantitatively measured. Such play
substance values/information may also be in nonquantita-
tive form. For example, such values may include "Y" and
"N" for "yes" and "no," respectively. Other values
include non-numeric values such as "turtle,'" "cow,"
"house," "A," "B," symbolic symbols (for visual displays)
and the like.
Considering that play objects in general, and not
master units, contain values and information, a player can
take a play object to another master unit that has never
16 previously been specifically informed about earlier game
transactions with that play object, and still have the
game ensue based upon earlier play by that particular play
object a.n earlier transaction with the earlier master
unit. The game ensues particularly based on infor-
21 mation/values stored in the play object by the earlier
master unit. All, majority, or portion of the prior
ownership and/or transaction value and history can be
stored on the tag IC memory of the play object.
The master unit can be another toy or game apparatus,
25 for example, in a public location such as a retail store
or eating establishment like a restaurant. The play
object with the RFID tag IC can be presented at the store
to gain credits, obtain free prizes, bonuses, or discounts
on purchases, or other benefits. Additional values or
3s play substance values may also be added to~a play object
at the store or point-of-purchase location.
22
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s For example, if a smart trading card containing
virtual money information is used a.n a casino game/play
pattern, a child may use this smart card, i. e. the
virtual play money, and bring a.t today to friend A to play
with, and then take whatever virtual play money the child
6 has ended up with after playing with friend A to friend B
and C tomorrow. Thus the burden of keeping track of game
play transactions (including ownership transfer, hit
points changes, attributes changes, virtual money losses
and increases, etc.) is not placed on any particular
m master/host/server.
An example of a microcontroller 213 that may be used
in an embodiment of the invention is the RSC300/364 device
from Sensory, Inc. of Santa Clara, CA. This component can
16 be purchased from the company at prices as low as $1.50
per device. This low price qualifies the device as
suitable for toy and game use.
The RSC300/364 is optimized for audio speech and
sound output, as well as for speech input. The CPU
21 portion of the device includes a suitable instruction set
for controlling the RFID transponder devices, as well as
to initiate output of speech, voice, sound~or music
signals from data tables stored in the fixed data memory.
Similar microcontrollers, such as the W536
26 "ViewTalk'~" series of microcontroller chips from Winbond
Semiconductor Company Ltd., Taiwan, would also be
suitable. These chips generally support sound and speech
audio output, and also include circuitry for operation of
a typical LCD display screen containing alphanumeric
31 characters and/or graphical, pictorial "icons".
23
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 Generally, the microcontroller 213 controls some
external circuitry which embodies the RFID radio frequency
control and data read/write transfers between the various
RFID tagged objects and the main host control.
A Hitag reader chip, HTRC110, from Philips
6 Semiconductor Corp. is an example of an RFID transponder
reader/interrogator chip 207 used in a master unit 103.
This device comprises a complete one hundred twenty five
(125) kHz RFID transponder controller. It can be used with
RFID transponder tag ICs operating in the one hundred
11 twenty five (125) kHz frequency range.
In one embodiment, the HTRC110 is made to work with
Philips HiTag RFID tag devices, sold commercially by
Philips Semiconductor. These RFID tags are placed in play
objects to be recognized by the toy or game.
16 While the HTRC110 device a.s named a "reader" by the
manufacturer, it can also be used as a "writer" of data
back into non-volatile read/write memory contained in
certain kinds of RFID tag devices which support read/write
memory operations.
Generally, very few external components are required
to operate the HTRC110 IC a.n accordance with the
invention. For example, only a few capacitors and a
crystal for the precise control of timing within the IC
are needed. Furthermore, only three digital I/O
26 (input/output) lines are required to interface the entire
RFID Reader IC to the microcontroller: Data In, Data Out,
Serial Clock. This is well known and widely used in the
industry, and is sometimes known as an I2C link.
The control program in the microcontroller transmits
31 control and data information to the reader/interrogator
24
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 IC, and reads back control and data information from it
via the above-mentioned three serial data lines.
Any and all control and data exchange functions of
the RFID reader/interrogator chip may be implemented via
the above-mentioned three lines: transmit RFID carrier
On/Off, read data, write data, modulation control or the
RFID carrier, demodulation control of received data, and
error detection and correction.
As mentioned above, data/play values may also be
updated or written back to the memory of the RFID tag ICs.
is These data may represent increased points a.n a game,
ownership identification of a plastic toy figurine, or
other toy and game-related information.
Another example of an RFID reader/interrogator is the
standalone tag reader circuit (STARC), MC33690, from
16 Motorola. RSC-300/364 chips from Sensory, Inc. in Sunny-
vale, California may be used as voice/sound generator
chips.
Philips HiTag RFID tag devices may be used in play
objects. These RFID tags include the feature of reading
2s and writing back data into a non-volatile memory on the
tag IC device.
Ha.Tag .devices also support the so-called "anti-col-
lision" feature that enables more than one RFID tag device
to be recognized and controlled within the range of the
26 play field antenna. They operate in the one hundred
twenty five (125) kHz frequency band. This type of device
generally uses amplitude modulation (AM) fo,r the
write-to-tag-memory process, and AM/PM for the read
control.
31 The anti-collision feature functions in such a way
that there is a random delay or a programmed delay in
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s which a specific RFID tag IC remains "off," i. e. does not
respond with a transmission back to the RFID reader/inter-
rogator. This way multiple RFID tag ICs (play objects)
may be polled sequentially. This gives rise to the
appearance of simultaneous responses because the time
6 required for an interrogation/response is quite brief -
tens or hundreds of milliseconds.
MCRF200, a contacless programmable passive RFID
device, from Microchip Technology, Inc. may be used as an
11 RFID tag IC. This chip, however, only allows for read-
only data transmission. It also does not support
anti-collision, thus it is suitable for "one at a time"
play-object recognition game pattern.
If anti-collision features are desired, MCRF250 and
16 MCRF355/360 from Microchip Technology, Inc. may be used in
play objects. These chips may be used when multiple
objects are to be detected at apparently the same time in
a game environment.
MCRF200 .and MCRF250 devices operate a.n the one
2s hundred twenty-five kHz frequency band. They are read-only
and are one-time programmable with a unique serial number.
Hence, they can be used to represent many different tagged
play objects. Up to ninety-six bits of serial number can
be programmed, supporting trillions of unique
26 identification codes.
Other RFID tags, using other types of signal
modulation (e. g. AM, AM/PM, FSK, Direct PSK (change on
data change), PSK (change at the beginning of a one)) and
data encoding methods (NRZ Direct, Differential Bi-Phase,
31 Manchester Bi-Phase, Bi-Phase IDI) suitable for required
26
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s error detection and correction capability may also be
used.
Other frequency bands may also be used. RFID tag
devices such as the iCode from Philips Semiconductor and
the MCRF 355/360 and MCRF450 from Microchip Technology Inc
6 are but two examples of devices operating in the 13.56 MHz
radio frequency. Other RFID tag systems operate at SURF
frequencies a.n the five GHz range, such as devices
manufactured by Hitachi.
If read and write features are desired, i. e. be able
11 to write and update information in the play object,
MCRF450 from the same company may be used.
While some RFID systems operate using primarily
inductive coupling of the power and signal energy from the
master unit reader/interrogator to the RFID tag IC, other
16 RFID technologies use primarily capacitive coupling. For
example, the BiStatix RFID devices from Motorola use
capacitive coupling.
In embodiments of our invention, either inductive or
capacitive coupling can be used - depending on the toy or
2s game and the nature of the play objects being recognized.
For example, a capacitive coupling element (antenna) can
be formed by printing two surfaces with electrically
conducting ink or other substance onto paper, plastic,
cardboard, or other non-conducting material. These two
26 surfaces form the two plates of a capacitor, which
performs the signal and power energy coupling between the
host and the RFID tag object. This method~can be used to
"print" smart trading cards, playing cards, collecting
cards, or other flat, generally two-dimensional type
31 objects.
27
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 Other chips or devices that support the functionali-
ties and features described herein may be used in making
the master/host/server and the play objects. Furthermore,
there are many possible configurations of electronic
circuits for RFID reader/interrogator devices and play
6 objects. For the purposes of electronic toy and game
playing systems, the cost of the electronic components
generally must be very low, typically costing under five
dollars.
User presentation, such as visual or audio outputs,
~.1 may also be implemented by coupling such reader/inter-
rogator circuits with appropriate display and/or audio
circuits. Master/host/server or master units, for
example, may include various visual display mechanisms,
such as colored light indicators (typically LED devices),
i6 and alphanumeric display screens such as formed by LCDs
(liquid crystal display), LEDs (light emitting diodes),
and in dot matrix or custom graphic "icon" formats. Such
displays convey text and numerical information including
words, statements, or other visual information. User-
2i presentation depends on the instructions contained in the
program controlling the microprocessor.
In the case that the master/host/server or master
unit has multiple antennas, switching circuits are used to
26 enable or disable individual antenna elements. This is
done under the control of the control program. The
control program can also sequence the various antennas to
determine if play objects are/are not placed in certain
locations, and respond accordingly. This is generally
3z dependent on the play-pattern or game environment
enforced.
28
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s The exchange of power and data signals between the
reader/interrogator and the play objects occurs rapidly,
typically within one hundred through three hundred milli-
seconds for one hundred twenty kHz carrier frequencies of
operation, and within under one hundred milliseconds for
thirteen MHz carrier frequencies, a.f not faster. RFID tag
systems operating at thirteen MHz or five GHz have much
faster response and data exchange timings because of the
higher carrier frequencies.
Thus, the response time of a master unit to play
1i objects may appear to be almost instantaneous as far as
human perceptual speeds are concerned. This also means
that multiple antennas and coupling devices can be
switched and multiplexed quickly such that the response of
the master unit appears to be instantaneous by human
16 perceptual speeds.
Referring to Fig. 3, antennas, particularly for the
master unit, are preferably oriented orthogonally with
each other and multiplexed or fed With complimentary RF
2i signals. This enables detection of play objects in case
the coupling antennas are at obtuse angles~and enables the
RFID reader/interrogator to read and interrogate a passive
RFID tag with coil in any angular position within the
sensing field.
26 With a single loop antenna, the RFID tag IC and its
antenna must be closely coupled to the signal field so
that sufficient RF energy is coupled to power and
communicate with the RFID tag device. For toys and games,
however, there may be situations in which a single loop
3s antenna is not able to recognize a small RFID tag device,
that is, if the RFID tag device a.s orthogonal to the
29
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 master unit loop antenna, energy coupling would be
minimized and the tag IC would not be recognized.
Thus, a second loop antenna oriented at ninety
degrees to another antenna is preferable. The
multiplexing method of selectively enabling and disabling
6 multiple antennas (discussed further below) may then be
used so as to ensure maximum signal coupling to the RFID
tag at any angle within the sensing field., A third or
more antenna can be added to the setup in a similar
manner, at other angles to the detection area or space, so
11 as to maximize the RF coupling efficiency to the tag IC
Without regard to a specific orientation of the play
object in three-dimensional space.
In one embodiment, a master unit reader antenna is a
coil of wire or a conductive printed loop of thin copper.
16 The antenna is preferably tuned to the reader/interrogator
circuit by a series or parallel capacitors.
The size and dimensions of the antenna and its
electrical Q factor determine how sensitive the
reader/interrogator antenna is to weak RFID-tagged play
2s objects and how efficient such antenna is in converting
electrical power into the RF energy to implement or
trigger the play object-detection. The design of antennas
in the master unit, as~well as in the play,objects, thus
are considered. In one embodiment of the invention, an
26 antenna is formed by making a six-inch diameter loop
consisting of twenty turns of #32 enamel insulated copper
having a low-series resistance. This antenna is then
placed over the head of a toy doll, for example, enclosed
within a plastic sheath so that it appears to be a hair
3i band or head band fashion accessory.
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s Loop antennas could also be placed within and
disguised a.n such things as necklaces, lockets, bracelets,
belts, sashes, or other parts of a doll or the master unit
itself. This loop antenna can also be placed inside the
plastic head of a doll. Diameters of antenna loops may
6 also be varied depending on where in the master unit,
e. g. head versus hand, the antennas are going to be
placed.
The term "antenna" includes specific RF energy and
signal coupling devices and elements, such as small or
11 large coils or loops of wires or RF conducting materials
a.n the case of inductively-coupled signals, surface
electrodes in the case of capacitively coupled signals, or
other combinations thereof. The size and value of the
antenna may be as large or small as practical or as
required by the play pattern or game.
Even if multiple antennas are used, only one master
reader/interrogator controller may be required (Fig. 4).
For example, if four antennas are used 410, 412, 414, 416,
2~ they only need to be coupled to one reader/,interrogator
such as the HTRC110 HiTag reader 408 from Philips.
This exemplary circuit uses four antennas and eight
MOSFET transistors to selectively enable and disable each
antenna by Way of four digital control signals D1, D2, D3,
26 and D4 418, 420, 422, and 424. The group of eight
transistors forms a DP4T (double pole, four throw)
electronic switch with very low "ON" impedance and very
high "OFF" impedance. The four digital drive lines 418,
420, 422, and 424 originate in the control of the
31 microcontroller and are buffered by logic inverters to
31
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s switch the MOS transistors, which are biased by VDD at
five VDC and Vss at ground level.
Furthermore, each of the four output pairs to each
antenna may contain an additional fine tuning capacitor
(C1 through C4) 426, 428, 430, 432 so as to provide the
6 highest Q of the circuit for maximum energy transfer. In
this exemplary circuit, one and only one antenna is
enabled to be active at any given time. This circuit,
however, may also be use to activate one or more antennas
simultaneously with each other.
11 The TX1 434 and TX2 436 signals from the HTRC110
RFID reader IC 408 feed into and are received from the
common two signal lines normally used for a single
antenna.
Referring now to Fig. 5, HTRC110 RFID Hi.Tag
reader/interrogator IC is used as an exemplary IC1 560.
An RSC-300/364 chip IC2 562 a.s used as a voice/sound
generator and synthesizer.
The RFID reader IC 560 includes a four MHz quartz
2i crystal or a ceramic resonator (XTAh 1) 574 for timing of
the RFID chip 560. The main antenna L1 in the form of an
inductive loop provides energy and signal communications
with RFID tag devices (play objects) within its field of
operation or detection area.
26 A tuning capacitor for output signal is also part of
the chip 560 to adjust resonant frequency of output for
optimum Q. Furthermore, couples receive energy signal
back from RFID tag modulation into the RECEIVE signal
processing circuits of the RFID reader chip 562.
31 The RSC-300/364 IC 562 ,is an eight-bit RISC
microprocessor with digital input and output, audio signal
32
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s output from internal sound synthesizer, data memory, and
program memory. This IC 562 is powered 564, for example,
by four AA Alkaline batteries or other source of four to
six VDC power.
An ON/OFF switch SW1 56.6 to turn the IC ON or OFF is
6 also available. A speaker SPKR 568 is used to output
audio information (e. g. voice, music, and sound effects).
This chip 562 contains an audio output amplifier to drive
the speaker 568, in this case, a two-inch diameter sixteen
to thirty-two ohm impedance speaker.
1s An audio output filter capacitor COUT 570 is also
included for better quality. A fourteen MHz crystal (XTAL
2) 572, which may also be used by the main clock of the
CPU, is also available. Port zero lines P01, P02, P03 578
are included for digital input/output control of the RFID
16 reader by the CPU. A reset circuit 580 is also available
to provide proper reset of CPU at power on.
Similar to the master/host/server 103 described above
(Fig. 2), a master/host/server a.n another embodiment (Fig.
2s 6) includes a visual display generator/controller 602 that
controls a visual display. This way a toy may be
responding not in audio form but in visual form.
The visual display 604 is generally used for user
presentation and may include LEDs, OLEDs (organic light-
26 emitting diode), LCDs, CRTs, incandescent lamps, 3D
holographic or 3D stereographic displays, and other types
of display technologies.
The visual display elements 604 may be single lights
in various colors or white lite, alphanumeric LED or LCD
31 displays, and fully dot matrix and raster type displays in
monochrome or color screens, capable of showing numeric
33
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s and alphabetic characters in many different fonts and
languages, and full pictures and motion video and
animation type images. Using 3D displays also supports
fully synthetic images, such as holograms or stereographic
displays. Motion color videos and film images of
6 photographs, action scenes or any other types of visual
displays such as are seen on TV and movie screens may also
be supported.
Visual display-driver integrated circuits 602 are
commercially available from many companies, including Sun
11~ Plus, Microchip, Toshiba, National Semiconductor Corp,
Texas Instruments, and many others.
For example, the SPLD801B LCD segments driver and
companion SPLD802A LCD commons driver from Sun Plus may be
used. Each of these IC can drive eighty segments or
16 eighty columns for multiplexed LCD displays forming dot
matrix images in arrays of eighty by eighty, or more
pixels. These displays can form numbers, letters, icon
graphic images, and other visual information.~This type of
LCD display driver typically interfaces to a controlling
2s microcontroller unit via a few serial data, clock, and
control lines.
Other LED displays can be driven with~just bit output
lines from the microcontroller driving an LED indicator
light, or via a 2N2222 type transistor to boost the
26 current. Incandescent lamps may also be driven this way.
In one embodiment, with just eight output pins from
the microcontroller to drive LED anodes and another eight
pins to drive LED cathodes via 2N2222 transistors to boost
current, an eight by eight (8 x 8) matrix of LED lamps can
31 be driven in scanned multiplex mode to display
alphanumeric characters.
34
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 In another embodiment, Motorola MC144898 five channel
LED/twenty five lamp driver can be used alone or in groups
to drive a number of LED lamps in single or dot matrix,
alphanumeric configurations. Using IC devices for CRT
controllers or LCD display controllers, full large screen
6 video or LCD displays in monochrome or color can be
operated.
A number of IC devices manufactured and marketed by
Epson Semiconductors can support CRT or LCD, displays, or
both, in embedded systems. Some examples are SPC8106 VGA
11 LCD/CRT Controller, SED1330 LCD Controller, SED1353 LCD
Controller, SED1354 LCD/CRT Controller, SED1355 LCD/CRT
Controller, SED1356 LCD/CRT/TV Controller, SED1374
Embedded Memory LCD Controller, and SED1375 Embedded
Memory LCD Controller.
16
In another embodiment, a microcontroller can control
both a visual display generator/controller and a voice and
sound generator. This way a toy may be designed to have
both visual and audio user presentation.
21
Referring now to Figs. 7A and 7B, in still another
embodiment of the invention, RFID tag ICs 708a and
suitable antenna 708b can be embedded inside of play
objects 708 a.n the form of small play blocs molded from
26 plastic, carved from wood, or other non-conducting, non-RF
shielding materials. The master unit and control engine
703 is contained inside of a large tablet-shaped form 701.
The engine 703 includes the sensing antenna coil 705 in
the surface 709, a reader/interrogator circuit 707, a
31 microcontroller 713 with voice/sound generator IC, an
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 audio amplifier and speaker 721/723, and batteries 725,
similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 2.
The "magic tablet" 701 can recognize the play blocks
708 placed on it. The play blocks 708 may have printed or
molded legends 708d on one side of the cube, such as
6 letters of the alphabet, numbers, arithmetic signs such as
+, -, / and X, or pictures or icons of animals such as
cows, horses, chickens, or pigs, or other objects such as
musical instruments, musical notes, or other things.
The magic tablet 701 has a similar "engine" 103 as
1~. the dolls described above. The control program could
operate in many different modes.
In speaking only, the tablet voice just says the name
of a letter or number block placed on it. If a number of
blocks are placed on the tablet, using anti-collision
16 techniques, the master unit 703 accordingly identifies and
processes all the blocks placed.
The magic play blocks 708 and tablet 701 may have
complementary Velcro, or possibly magnetic, surfaces 710a,
710b for establishing a preferred orientation of each
21 block and its antenna 708b to the tablet and its antenna
705 so as to maximize the RF energy transferred between
the master unit and the RFID tag IC 708a and antenna 708b
contained inside the block or object 708 placed on the
magic tablet.
26 Alternatively, referring to Fig. 7C, the play block
or object 758 could contain the RFID tag IC 758a and small
loop antenna coil 758b in a diagonal orientation inside
the play block or object, so that regardless of the play
block or object orientation to the tablet surface 709, the
31 loop coil antenna 758b inside the play block or object
will couple sufficient RF energy to the associated RFID
36
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 tag IC 758a in that play block for proper operation with
minimal transmitted power.
The tablet 701 can also ask a child to spell a word
such as "DOG" and then detect when the correct letter play
blocks 708 have been placed on the tablet, and speak
6 accordingly, correct or not, to help teach a child how to
spell. In this embodiment, the locations or positions of
where the blocks are placed are not considered.
In one embodiment, the word "DOG" is spelled
correctly when a child places the correct letter one after
s1 another, i. e. "D" then "O," and then "G." How the
blocks are placed on the tablet does not affect how the
RFID reader/interrogator reads the data contained in the
RFID tag IC, so long as the play letter object is in the
detection area of the RFID reader/interrogator.
16 In another embodiment, a child may place all three
play blocks ("D," "0," and "G") at the same time to
correctly spell the word "DOG." Still in another embodi-
ment, the order of when the letter blocks are placed is
irrelevant so long as the correct letter blocks are
21 placed .
Detection of multiple play blocks or objects 708 is
again accomplished by the control program of the
microcontroller 113 and the reader/interrogator circuit
707. Data that are exchanged, that is transmitted by the
26 RFID tag and read by the reader/interrogator, are actual
digital bits of data and not just resonance frequencies.
The circuit of the reader/interrogator 707 operates
at the selected RF frequency of the RFID tag IC 708a and
antenna 708b. Commonly used frequency ranges are 100-150
31 kHz, or 13.5 MHz nominally, or other frequencies.
37
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s The specific methods of data modulation used in a
specific RFID tag system are not of consequence to the
inventions of toys and games. The basic operation of the
invention can be adapted to various modulation methods and
frequency ranges, depending on the cost of the circuits
6 and the range of operation.
It is very important to note that the detailed
control of the reader/interrogator circuit and the data
transmission and reception is highly dependent on the
control of the reader/interrogator circuit which is
m effected by portions of the operating system and drivers
contained in the main "engine."
The disclosed master/host/server toys or game units
can deal with detecting multiple play objects i.e., where
more than one play object are presented to or removed from
16 the toy or game master.
For example, a doll 110 can ask to "see" three shapes
in flash cards or play objects 108 containing suitable
RFID tag ICs 108a. Then the doll can ask for one of the
shapes or objects 108 to be removed. If the incorrect one
21 a.s removed, the doll will recognize that, and speak a
suitable warning response.
Because a considerable amount of power is consumed
With the activation of the reader/interrogator circuit 107
to transmit RF energy to detect the possible presence of
25 an RFID tag IC 108a within the range of the mas-
ter/host/server toy or game unit, such operation must be
managed carefully. The master control program can manage
the activation of the reader/interrogator circuit 107 on a
time-multiplexed basis, so as to conserve power in
31 operation and therefore prolong the battery life of the
toy or game.
38
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s For example, the discussed apparatus provide for the
time-multiplexed activation of the reader/interrogator
circuit 107 on a time interval basis to conserve battery
power. Rather than leave the reader/interrogator circuit
107 activated on a continuous basis, the master/host/ser-
6 ver or master unit 103 only activates this circuit 107
very briefly a few times per second, until a suitable RFID
tag IC 108a is found to respond. In this manner, the
method of control reduces the power consumption by a
significant amount, and extends the battery life of the
m toy or game unit.
Referring now to Figs. 8A and 8B, there is shown a
smart trading card master device 803 in the.form of a
hand-held reader for smart trading cards or flash cards
1~ 808. A trading card 808 can be slid into a mechanical
slot 812 provided for the purpose of holding the card 808
in place, the card can be placed on the surface of a hand-
held reader, the card can be waved a.n front, of a table
(e. g. Figs. 7 or 13), or via other means for read/write
a1 detection and operation by the master unit.
The reader 803 has a reader/interrogator circuit 807
and antenna 805 for communicating with the RFID tag ICs
808a embedded within the trading or flash cards 808. The
trading card control master (master unit) 803 can read and
26 write back selected data information to and from the RFID
tag IC 808a embedded in the trading card 808. This is
performed under the control of a single chip microcontrol-
ler 813 which includes a speech/sound synthesizer circuit
819 with digital to analog converter suitable to drive
31 audible sounds from a miniature loud speaker 823 inside
the unit.
39
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z Moreover, the microcontroller 813 can include the
circuitry to drive segments and layers of a common,
multiplexed LCD alphanumeric display screen 814 on the
master unit, whereby information can. be visually
displayed. Power to the master device 803 may be provided
by batteries 825.
In addition, the microcontroller can include
circuitry to communicate with an external device such as a
personal computer, a hand-held computer, or other device,
via a wired serial communications interface for RS-232,
11 USB, IEEE 1394 or other standard or custom communications
network .
With such a network communications link, information
about the trading cards, their values, ownership, or other
information can be communicated to other programs and
services, and could also be conveyed via the Internet to
various websites offering prizes, recognition, or other
services to the card collector or game or toy player.
In a text-to-speech application of the invention,
words and phrases can be encoded in the tag IC memory in
21 the form of ASCII or other generally known and used
character encoding techniques by using RFID tag ICS with a
sufficient number of data bits or read only or read/write
memory.
For example, the word "HOUSE" can be encoded in 6-bit
26 ASCII code, that is six data bits per alphanumeric
character, using a total of only thirty data bits. The
RFID tag IC containing this data bit pattern could be
embedded inside a flash card, a trading card, or any other
small two or three-dimensional object.
3z Upon detection and query of the flash card, trading
card, or other object by the doll, a reader, or other
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 master unit toy or game unit, programmed to recognize the
encoding of words, the five letters of the example Word
"HOUSE" would be received and then conveyed' to a software
program and/or combination of software program and voice,
sound or speech synthesizer, in any of many various
languages, to be converted into the spoken word "HOUSE" by
the toy or game unit.
A very important feature of this embodiment of the
invention is the ability to form hundreds, thousands, or
even millions of unique identity flash cards, trading
11 cards, or other play and collectible objects containing
RFID tag ICs, which then cause the master unit toy or game
unit to speak, or to display and speak, the word or words
programmed within them. This is significantly different
from using a master unit toy or game unit that has a sound
s6 and speech voice synthesizer using only pre-recorded words
or phrases of language, which would be activated by
control and behavior programs in the toy or game unit.
In the foregoing embodiment of the invention, there
can be a virtually unlimited range or spoken words and
2s phrases, activated by one or more suitably programmed RFID
tag ICs contained a.n flash cards, trading cards, or other
objects. As noted above, if desired, the major portion,
if not all, of the spoken or displayed data~may come from
the object's memory. The main advantage of this
26 implementation a.s that the toy or game unit does not have
to be completely pre-programmed with all the words it
might ever have to speak or say or display. Rather, the
toy or game unit need only have a text-to-speech converter
program a.n its control program, With proficiency in one or
31 more spoken languages. Such a toy or game unit could be
of use in learning and teaching various languages.
41
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s The number of data bits in the RFID tag IC, perhaps
as many as one thousand bits, could contain as many as 150
alphanumeric characters, (i.e. letters, numbers,
punctuations, and other control codes) sufficient so that
one flash card, trading card, or RFID tag IC equipped
6 object, could cause the doll, master unit toy or game unit
to speak a specific sentence or sentences of multiple
words and phrases.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention
(Fig. 9A), a hand-held game device 920 receives an RFID
reader cartridge 904 and a game cartridge 902. The hand-
held device 920 typically includes a microcontroller, a
visual display 924, e. g. an LCD or LED, sound-generation
circuits, an audio output speaker 926, and control buttons
16 922. '
The RFID reader cartridge 904 is preferably a plug-in
accessory that fits into hand-held video game devices such
as NINTENDO~ GAME BOY, NINTENDO~ GAME BOY ADVANCE, and
other types of programmable hand-held game and computing
21 units. This plug-in accessory may also be designed to fit
into hand-held computing devices like PALM computers,
PDAs, and even with console video games units like SONY
PS-2, NINTENDO GAMECUBE, MICROSOFT XBOX, etc.
The RFID reader cartridge 904 includes RFID
25 reader/interrogator circuits) 908, antennas) 906, and
control/interface circuits) 910 to the hand-held device
920, particularly to the main bus. The antenna sensing
elements 906 preferably protrude out or are placed on the
rear side of the RFID cartridge 904, and preferably formed
31 as loops.
42
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s The RFID cartridge 904 is generally plugged into an
interface or slot 928 available in the hand-held device
920. This interface 928 is generally where game
cartridges are plugged in or inserted. For NINTENDO~ GAME
BOY ADVANCE, for example, the game cartridge or game pack
6 is plugged or inserted at the back of the unit. This
interface or slot 928 includes multiple electrical
connections to supply operating power to the game
cartridge 902 and the RFID reader cartridge 904 and for
connecting address, data, and control signal lines or
11 generally to the main bus.
The RFID reader circuit 908, with the antenna 906,
reads and writes information back to play objects 990.
This play object 990 has at least one RFID tag circuit 994
and an associated antenna 992. The play objects may be in
z6 many forms, including action figures, cards, and the like.
The RFID reader cartridge 904 is preferably an
intermediate cartridge which plugs into the hand-held
device 920 via the interface/connector/slot 928 (Fig. 9B)
The RFID cartridge 904 also includes a receiving
2s interface/connector/slot 912 into which a game cartridge
902 may be plugged-a.n .
This connector/interface 912 is generally a pass-
through interface so that the game cartridge 902 is able
to convey all program code and data to the hand-held
26 device 920. The control circuits 910 is generally used
to interface input/output controls to the hand-held device
920.
The game cartridge 902 contains the play-patterns or
"the game" that a.s going to be played by a user. It
31 typically includes a memory chip, such as a read-only-
memory (ROM). The ROM contains the operating program and
43
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 data patterns for graphics, sounds, animations, and game
play.
The RFID cartridge 904 also includes interface
circuits) 910 to the main bus of the hand-held device
920. Instructions on how to process the information read
6 by the RFID reader circuit 908 are also contained in the
game cartridge 902. Such RFID instructions control how
information read by the RFID reader 908 is processed
within the game.
In this embodiment, a multitude of games or play-
11 patterns may thus be designed to work with various play
objects. Playing video games on hand-held devices is thus
enhanced with the introduction of RFID reader cartridges
and RFID play objects.
These RFID play objects may contain serial numbers,
s6 identity numbers, or other types of information such as
those related to the object or to the game in general.
This information may thus affect how a game is played.
For example, as a user holds an RFID action figure
play object 990 and passes it over or near an antenna 906
21 (i. e. the figure is a.n a detection area), the RFID reader
908 reads the contents of the RFID tag ICs 994. This
information may then enable this character in the game
(i. e. bring this character into the game), alter
attribute values, such as strength and hit points,
25 .instruct the hand-held device 920 to say "Hey, it's
Superman!," alter the logic of the play-pattern of the
game, give clues to the users, extend playing time, and
the like.
The RFID reader cartridge 904 may obtain its power
3i from the hand-held device 920. It is also possible that
44
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s the RFID cartridge 904 has its own source of power, such a
battery that is part of the RFID cartridge 904.
In another embodiment of the invention, the hand-held
game or computing device has an integrated or built-a.n
RFID reader/interrogator under the control of a
6 microcontroller or a processor. Thus, the RFID cartridge
904 is thus unnecessary. A game cartridge with the
desired play pattern or game needs to only be inserted
into these hand-held game devices. The program contained
in this game cartridge dictates how the processor controls
11 the RFID reader/interrogator circuit. The antenna
associated with the RFID reader/interrogator may be placed
in various location of this device, such as'front or back
of the unit.
In another embodiment of the invention, instead of a
16 hand-held game device, a video game console unit 930, such
as an Xbox unit of Microsoft Corporation or a PlayStation~
unit of Sony, is connected to a television console 932.
The video game unit 930 is connected to the tv via a wire
interface 934.
21 The video game unit 930 has a built-in or integrated
RFID reader/interrogator 940 and an associated antenna
948. It also includes a processor 942. The game or play
pattern that is going to be played is contained typically
in a readable medium 936, such as a CD-ROM. It contains
26 the program of the game.
The software or program 936 is loaded into a program-
receiving unit 938, such as a CD reader. In conjunction
with the processor 940, the instructions contained in the
program are executed by the processor or by appropriate
3i components typically under the control of the processor.
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z The RFID reader/interrogator circuit may also be under the
control of the processor.
The program or software 936 may also be received by
the video game unit 930 via a connection, such as the
Internet.
6
RFID tagged play objects may be waved or placed near
the game 930 and accordingly recognized and processed
under the rules of the game. User presentation such as
visual display and audio output are presented by the
s1 connected television or display unit 932.
Alternatively, the RFID reader/interrogator 940 and
associated antenna 948 is not integrated with the game
device 930. In this scenario, an RFID reader cartridge is
plugged into an available port in the game device 930.
16 The program 936 loaded into this game device and the
processor controls the RFID reader/interrogator including
how data read should be handled.
In another embodiment, a hand-held game or computing
device 950, such as an iPaq unit from HP or a PDA,
2~ includes a visual display 954. It also includes an RFID
reader/interrogator 960, an antenna 952, a processor 962,
a speech/sound synthesizer 964, and a speaker 966. The
game program may be preloaded into this hand-held unit or
be downloaded into this unit via other means, such as a
26 connection to the Internet or a connection 'to a
software/program media reader. User presentations are all
handled by this same unit 950.
Alternatively, the RFID reader/interrogator is not
integrated to the system but is available as a plug-in
3s accessory. As devices become popular, they,, however,
become integrated into the system, like Ethernet cards are
46
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 now becoming standard devices built-in into computer
laptops and notebooks.
Thus, in general, in this type of game/computing
devices, the RFID reader/interrogator may be built-in or
integrated in the game/computing device, or may be
6 available as an accessory to be plugged in or connected to
the main game/computing device. User presentation may be
presented by the game/computing device itself and/or by
external devices connected to such game/computing device.
11 Referring to Fig. 10A, in one embodiment, these play
objects containing RFID tag ICs are manufactured
containing initial ownership status information 1004.
This initial status information may be in several forms,
e, g. a bit "0" indicating that this object has never been
s6 owned, a series of blanks or nulls indicating no owner-
ship, or a textual field with "never been owned" written
on it.
Initial value information, for example, play
currency,, hit points, strength level, character level,
2i name, etc. may also be stored as part of the play object
1004. This value or set of values, including status
information, may be numeric and/or nonnumeric.
Once a play object is purchased for the first time,
the store using a master/host/server (transactor 1033 Fig.
25 10B), i. e. capable of handling transactions, including
writing to play objects, updates the play object with new
ownership information. This master unit or,transactor
1033 a.s coupled to an input device 1044 enabling the
purchaser of that play object to enter ownership
31 information, such as name, address, and phone number.
This input device 1044 may be a keyboard, a touch screen,
47
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s a computer, a voice-activated input device, or any input-
enabling device. Other master units able to handle this
type of transaction may also be used.
Once the purchaser provides his or her ownership
information, the master unit transmits and writes this
6 information into the RFID tag ICs of the purchased play
object 1006 (Fig. 10A). Security information 1008, such
as password, is generally also entered by the user so that
future ownership information may only be written into that
play object if a proper password a.s provided. This
~1 password is also stored in the play object.
Other values of the play object may also be updated
according to the play-patterns programmed in the master
unit 1010.
In the future, if the owner decides to, trade or sell
1s this particular play object to another person, the owner
may do so by using a master unit. The owner may use any
master unit that is capable of handling this type of play-
pattern transaction.
To enable the transfer transaction, the current owner
21 enters the same password previously stored in the toy.
This security information is verified by the master unit
1012. This is done assuming that the play object is
within the area of detection, i. e. the RFID
reader/interrogator communicates with the RFID tag ICs of
26 the play object.
In more detail, the RFID reader/interrogator of the
master unit reads the RFID tag ICs of the play object -
particularly the password. The password entered is then
verified against the information read. This is done by
3i the microcontroller, under the control of a'program,
48
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z If the password entered matches the one stored, the
master unit enables the new owner to provide new ownership
information and security information via an input device.
This new ownership information and security information
are stored in the RFID tag IC of the traded play object,
for example, card 1014, 1016.
Password security thus ensures that only valid
transactions are written into the play objects. Theft and
illegal possession of play objects are thus alleviated.
This process may be repeated if the play object is
11 later on transferred to another owner. Ownership
information history may also be stored thus, enabling users
to see its history. Other types of information may also
be stored in play objects, including numeric values (e.
g. monetary values), alphabetic values, and nonalphabetic
s6 values. With the transfer, values of the play object may
also be updated according to the rules or logic of
handling such transactions 1018.
Non-face-to-face exchanges and trades may also be
done. The current owner may send the play object and the
2s valid password to the new owner. The new owner may then
use an available and appropriate master unit to store new
ownership information. The new owner does' this by
supplying the valid password and new ownership informa-
tion.
26
In one embodiment, each play object is associated
With a card, like an ATM (automated teller machine) card.
This card contains information about the play object or
collection of play objects owned, for example, by an
31 individual. To exchange play objects, each owner only has
to wave the card or place the card near the master unit or
49
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
2 master/host/server to effect the transfer and enter the
appropriate security or PIN information. This way, owners
can have their collection information in one master card.
Alternatively, each play object may have its own
associated card containing ownership information about
that play object, similar to having a birth certificate or
a car registration form
A master unit may handle the transfer of more than
one type or product line of play objects. Meaning that a
11 master unit may handle various play objects so long as the
master unit 1033 (Fig. lOB) is able to read/write
information from the RFID tag ICs of the play objects.
This means that play objects may be sold without
corresponding master units 1033. So long as~a user has
i6 access to an appropriate master unit, exchanges and
transfers may be done.
In another embodiment, all master units, regardless
of the play-patterns or game processed, can handle
exchange and transfer transactions of all or a number of
2s play objets. This may be done, for example, by having
certain information be stored in these play objects. In
another embodiment, only certain master units handle this
type of transaction, e. g. exchanges and transfers.
A master unit 1033, handling transfers, and exchanges,
26 generally has an antenna 1032, a display 1042, an RFID
reader/interrogator 1034, a speaker 1040, and an input
device (keyboard) 1044, (microphone) 1052 .
In doing exchanges, for example, the play object or
the container of the play object 1002, 1004 contains the
31 RFID tag IC. To initiate an exchange, the owner of each
respective action figure enters their user name and
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z password 1050, 1052. The master unit 1033 processes this
information. If the information entered is correct, the
RFID tag IC of each respective play object or container of
each respective play object is updated accordingly to
reflect new ownership information.
6 Values, such as money value, play currency value,
strength, hit points, and the like are associated with
each action figures. This information and values depends
on game or play-pattern designs and thus may also be
accordingly updated during the exchange function.
1~. Information and values may also be updated and revised by
connection via a master unit to a network, the Internet,
store point-of-purchase registers, and the like.
In another method of trading, exchange, or processing
s6 of play object or variable play substance information
(e. g. exchange of play money), each play object 1002,
1004 is associated with a master control card 1050, 1060.
Each play object 1002, 1004 also contains a unique serial
number or any other identity-type information in its RFID
21 tag IC. The master control card also contains an RFID tag
IC and an antenna. The RFID tag IC also contains the
serial number of the associated play object. Preferably,
the master control card also contains a personal
identification number (PIN) so that unauthorized transfers
26 or trade are prevented.
To initiate the process or transfer, the owner of the
action figure, for example, action figure 1~ (1002), waves
or places his or her master control card 1050 over the
transactor master unit 1033. The owner then is prompted,
3s via a user presentation display, to enter his or her PIN.
The owner enters the PIN via an input device, such as a
51
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z keyboard 1044 or microphone (voice commands) 1052. Once
the user enters the proper PIN and is verified by the
master unit 1033 by reading the RFID tag IC of the master
control card, the new owner is then prompted to enter a
new PIN. The master control card 1050 associated with
6 action figure 1 (1002) is then asked to be waved over the
master unit 1033 so that the PIN of the new owner may be
written into the memory of the tag IC. Optionally, action
figure 1 (1002) may also be asked to be waved over the
master unit 1033 so that information, e. g. transfer
11 history, new PIN, variable play substance information
change, and the like, may be written into the tag IC of
the traded or exchanged action figure 1.
It is also possible that variations on this operation
may be made, for example, no PIN is required, owner
16 personal information is written into the processed play
object, ownership is not changed but only variable play
substance information (e. g. transfer of virtual play
money), additional master control cards are needed, etc.
2i In still another embodiment of the invention, a game
or toy 1100 (Fig. 11) includes a master unit in the form
of a toy car or toy moving vehicle and several play
objects in the form of cards 1104, 1106, 1108 and three-
dimensional objects 1110, 1112, 1114, with each play
object containing one or more RFID tag ICs 1132 within
them and a suitable antenna element 1134. The antenna of
the master unit a.s preferably at the bottom of the plastic
car 1102 and/or in the side of the car.
The game or play pattern is designed such that the
31 vehicle 1102 makes an audio response as it recognizes each
play object. This response, for example, includes "That's
52
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 the letter 'A"' 1104, "This is a turtle 110.6," "That's a
triangle," "What a pretty oak tree" 1110, music, sound
effects, and the like.
In one embodiment, a child pushes or remotely
controls the car 1102 to travel 1122 on a predefined track
1116. The moving vehicle may also be self-powered. As it
travels through the track 1116 and over each card, it
recognizes the play objects, 1104, 1106, 1108, and
accordingly generates and projects the proper audio
presentation through the car's speakers.
m In another embodiment, a child freely pushes the car
1102 a.n an arbitrary path 1124, i. e. without a predefined
track. As the car passes or comes near the play objects
1110, 1112, 1114, the car generates the appropriate audio
response, such as "What a pretty oak tree" 1110, "Oh,
16 that°s the bakery'° 1112, "A rabbit!" 1114.
The car can also make other types of sound effects,
besides speech, as well as activate other effects in the
moving vehicle such as flashing lights, changing speed,
turning motor on and off, and causing moving pieces to
21 move .
As can be seen from the various embodiments of the
invention, it a.s feasible that master units and play
objects from one game may be used in another game, so long
as data transmitted can be recognized and understood by
25 the master unit being used. This means that numerous
master unit and play object combinations may be created
with minimal changes to the underlying master unit circuit
and/or program.
31 In yet another embodiment of the invention, a game
1200 (Fig. 12) includes a hand-held unit 1203, such as a
53
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 wand, scanner, or waver master/host/server or master unit,
with an RFID reader/interrogator circuit and antenna, or
portions thereof, within it. The hand-held unit may be in
various three-dimensional forms. The antenna 1213 is
around the open viewport of the hand-held unit 1203. The
6 master unit toy 1203 also includes a microcontroller, an
RFID reader/interrogator, and a voice/sound generator.
The play objects each contain an RFID tag IC and at least
one antenna.
As the child waves the hand-held unit 1203 over the
m play objects 1202-1214 with the RFID hand-held master unit
ICs, appropriate responses are generated. Such response
may include, "That's the letter W" 1202, "That's a black
rabbit" 1204, "That's a star" 1206, "That's,a green
turtle" 1205, and "That's an airplane" 1210. These
16 responses may be varied. The user presentation may also
be varied, such as there could be additional visual
presentation or visual effects displayed by the hand-held
scanner unit, the hand-held unit can vibrate as each play
object is recognized, pieces of the hand-held unit may
21 move (e. g. dance), and the like.
Another play pattern can be that moving the RFID-
tagged play object close to the hand-held unit or scanner
1203 will activate a price charge in a toy cash register
or store play set, like a retail supermarket check-out,
26 etc.
The hand-held unit may also take another form.
Instead of a wand, the master unit toy may be in the form
of a glove, a hand-held puck or pod, a long stick, a rod,
a pencil, and the like.
3i The antenna/energy and data-coupling element is
located in the tip or end of the wand/rod - hand-held
54
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z element. This "sweet spot" can be waved and scanned over
the tags.
Physical touching of the wand sensing element to the
toy or game itself is also possible, for play pattern and
play action value. The physical contact, however, is not
required for signal and energy coupling, but is yet
another means of play pattern a.n addition to waving,
scanning, and other signal exchange methods.
In another embodiment, the master unit 1223 (Fig.
12B) is not entirely housed in one object or toy. In this
1s embodiment, the antenna 1233 and the RFID reader/inter-
rogator are in the hand-held unit itself. Other
components of the master unit, however, such as the
microcontroller 1241 and the voice/sound synthesizer 1239
are in another unit such as a box 1237. Power source may
16 also be stored in this box 1237. The wand 1223 and the
box 1237 are connected by a wired connection 1225. Thus,
it is possible that the master unit engine be partitioned
and housed in several entities and locations.
Due to RF circuit design, i.t is preferable that the
21 RFID reader/interrogator circuit and the antenna or
coupling element be in close physical proximity with each
other so as to minimize detuning effects.
In an alternative embodiment, a play object 1250
(Fig. 12C), in this example a toy doll, contains a number
26 of RFID tag ICs and antennas 1252. Each RFID tag IC is
associated with an antenna to identify a particular
location or body part of the doll.
For example, if the hand-held unit 1203 is placed
near or over certain areas, appropriate user presentation
31 7.5 generated. Examples of such response include "This is
my nose" 1252, "This is my right arm" 1254, "This is my
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 right hand to hold a bottle" 1256, "This a.s my right foot"
1258, and "This is my left foot" 1260. Instructions such
as "Touch my nose," "Tickle my left foot," "Touch my arm,"
and the like may also be included as part of the game.
This play object may be used to teach children various
6 body parts.
This play object may also be a game board with a
number of RFID tag ICs, or any two- or three-dimensional
play object with a number of RFID tag ICs in various
locations of the object. When the movable hand-held unit
i1 is waved on this RFID-tagged locations, game instructions
may be given in accordance with the game or play pattern
played at that time. This hand-held unit thus may be
fashioned as to look like a game controller~or a playing
piece.
16
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the
master unit toy 1300 is a loop-like device. The game is
designed such that various play objects are. flown through
the loop 1302. This loop also contains the antenna
21 associated with the RFID reader/interrogator 1304. A
voice/sound synthesizer 1306, a speaker 1310, a micro-
controller 1308 are also housed in this toy unit.
To play this game, a child flies the RFID-tagged
action figures 1132-1356 through the loop. The master
26 unit toy 1302 accordingly generates the proper user
presentation, such as audio responses. For example, the
master unit says "Hey, It's Superman," "Show me Batman,"
or "It a Firefighter," when the play objects 1354, 1356,
1352 are respectively flown into the loop.
31 When the master unit detects more than one action
figure 1352, 1354, 1356, for example, near the loop, a
56
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 battle play pattern may be initiated. For example, a play
by play story, for example, "Superman took some three
points damage," "Batman's strength went up by two," and
the like may be presented to the users. The RFID tag ICs
of respective action figures are also accordingly updated
6 to reflect new or updated information due to the play that
has ensued.
In another embodiment, the master unit toy 1333 is in
table or box-like form. This toy 1333 includes an antenna
1332, an RFID reader/interrogator 1334, a microcontroller
11 1336, a speech/sound synthesizer 1338, and a speaker 1340.
As the play objects are flown or passed over the table
1333 the appropriate user presentation and update to the
appropriate RFID tags are presented.
User presentation as applied to the many embodiments
16 of this invention is not limited to audio presentation.
Other forms, such as visual, tactile, and olfactory
presentation may be incorporated a.n the master units.
Appropriate components to handle such user presentation
have to be incorporated in the master units.
21
The various embodiments of the invention discussed
herein generally works in a game environment that includes
a master/host/server or master unit and at least one play
26 object with an RF tag IC. The game environment generally
works in such a way that communication, particularly, data
exchange, is generally established when the play object is
a.n at least one detection area of the master unit for the
minimum time required to complete a successful RFID trans-
31 ponder data exchange, read, or read/write operation, This
means that communication is established even if the master
57
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 unit is stationary and the play object is stationary, even
a.f the master unit a.s stationary and the play object is in
motion (e. g. waving or passing of an RFID-tagged flash
card or play object in front of or around the dolls shown
in Fig. 1) , even a.f the master unit a.s in motion and the
play object is stationary, and even if the master unit and
the play object are both in motion.
To explain the above-mentioned features of the inven-
tion, another embodiment of the invention is herein dis-
cussed and shown in Fig. 14A. In this game environment, a
11 master unit vehicle 1402, such as a tractor, may be moved
by a child.
This vehicle 1402 contains an RFID reader/interroga-
tor circuit and an antenna. This antenna i~s preferably
placed at the bottom and/or side of the tractor. The RFID
z5 reader/interrogator is hidden inside the vehicle. A
microcontroller containing a program and a speech
synthesizer are also housed in this vehicle.
The tractor 1402 interacts with play objects 1404-
1410. These play objects, for example, may represent
2s things that a person sees in a farm. These objects may be
placed by a parent around a young child so that the young
child can play with the tractor and these play objects.
These play objects 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410 include
RFID tag ICs and associated antennas. The RFID tag ICs
26 contain information identifying the object. This set of
information may include serial number, information to be
digitally synthesized, and object name (e. g. "cow,"
"plg," Or "sheep").
In one play pattern, when a child moves the tractor
3s master unit 1402 close to a play object, for example, the
cow 1404 so that a communication 1414 is established
58
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s between the RFID reader/interrogator of the tractor and
the RFID tag IC of the cow, the tractor responds, for
example, by saying "Your tractor is in front of a cow.
'Moo moo "' 1412. In this scenario, the cow is
stationary/still while the tractor a.s in motion (Fig.
s 14B) .
Questions and instructions may also be part of the
play pattern. Instructions may be given such as "Drive
the car to the pig." The master unit may then determine
if such instruction was properly carried out.
~.1 When a communication 1414 is established, the RFID
tag of the cow 1404 transmits and receives information in
the form of data bit streams to and from the tractor 1402.
The RFID tag receives their operating power from the RF
energy transmitted by the master unit at the same time as
16 data exchange occurs.
This information is then processed by the micro-
controller under the control of a program. Appropriate
responses, as coded in the program, are accordingly
generated. For example, the speech synthesizer may
21 instruct the microcontroller, in conjunction with a
speech/sound synthesizer, to generate or synthesize a
statement 1412.
Alternatively, the child may also move the play
object, e. g. cow 1404, near the tractor 1402 so that a
26 communication 1414 between the cow and tractor is
established (Fig. 14C). The tractor at this point is in a
fixed or stationary position. The appropriate response
1412 is generated similar to the scenario above.
The child may also hold the tractor 1402 and the cow
31 1404 in each hand and slowly move them close together
(Fig. 14D). Even though the tractor and the cow are in
59
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
1 motion, so long as a communication is established - i. e.
the cow is in a detection position relative to the
tractor, the appropriate response 1412 is generated by the
tractor.
Furthermore, even if the tractor and cow are
6 stationary (Fig. 14E), so long as they are placed in such
a way that they communicate with each other, the tractor
would recognize the cow and generate the appropriate
response. The number of times a response 1412 is repeated
depends on the instructions contained in the program
11 controlling the microcontroller.
When a master unit toy, in this embodiment - the
tractor 1402, is in a position to communicate with the
object, the tractor 1402 is able to continuously recognize
the object, e. g. the cow 1404. How often and how
16 continuous this recognition occurs may depend on power
saving mechanisms contained in the master unit toy.
In another embodiment of the invention, a master unit
vehicle interacts with a mat or a board displaying various
21 artwork or pictures painted or drawn by various artists..
Each artwork is associated with an RFID tag IC and at
least one antenna.
A child may move the vehicle over the mat and when
the vehicle is over or passes over an artwork (i. e. a
26 communication is established), the vehicle recognizes the
artwork and responds accordingly with voices/sounds or any
other responses instructed by the program controlling the
microcontroller of the master unit. It may. for example
identify the artwork, for example, "Van Gogh, Starry
31 Night . ~~
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s The cards may also contain shapes, numbers, and the
like. The play-pattern may also involve just counting the
cards recognized, for example, saying "We have seen three
stars and two squares."
6 In still other embodiments of the invention (Fig.
15), a master/host/server or master unit is embodied in
several devices such as in a cellular phone 1502, a
videophone 1504, or a computer 1506. These devices have a
similar "engine" 103 as the dolls previously described
~.1 (Figs. 1A and 1B). These various devices may be located
a.n several places, such as the place Where the play
objects are purchased, the user's home, toy stores, etc.
These devices also have a similar RFID reader/interrogator
engine as the dolls, toys, and games previously described
16 (e. g. Figs. 1 through 5).
In one game play-pattern, play objects such as POKE-
MON~ cards with RFID tag circuits are read by such game
units 1502, 1504, and 1506. The RFID tag ICs include read
and/or write memory devices and may contain identity
2s numbers, such as serial numbers, as well other-information
about that card. It a.s similar to the play objects 108 in
Fig. 2
When these cards are read by the RFID reader/inter-
rogator contained in these game units 1502, 1504, 1506,
25 information about the cards are presented to the users,
preferably in both visual and audio form. The information
provided to the users may be those directly contained in
the tag ICs of the cards themselves or may be provided as
part of the program contained in the microcontroller.
31 The program may also contain other instructions such
as role-playing game instructions enabling the characters
61
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z represented by the cards to compete in duels and a.n car
races, embark in adventure fantasies, and other play-
pattern activities and functions.
Play objects in this scenario thus may be purchased
from various vendors and locations. A user may use any
master unit that is programmed to recognize and present
information about the play objects. The user is thus not
compelled to purchase a master unit, but may borrow
available master units, if so desired.
11 Children, and even adults, love to collect things
such as cards, action figures, cars, and accessories.
These collectibles may be made a.n the form of play objects
containing RFID tag ICs, including at least one antenna.
This way, when children are showing off their price
i6 collection, even if more than one child owns the same
collectible item, e. g. the same POKEMON~ card, the
ownership of each card is easily identifiable.
Other uses and benefits of keeping information as
part of the play object are apparent and are handled by
2i several embodiments of this invention.
A board game 1600 (Fig. 16) is yet another embodiment
of the invention. This board game may have one to four
players, or more, depending on the game rules programmed
26 and selected for play. Each player has his or her own set
of coins or tokens - each containing a read only or
read/write RFID tag IC (play objects). The objective is
to remove other coins off the game board or~ table. The
board game a.s usually placed on a table.
31 Each player puts his or her coins on the table and
flips a coin in turn. If a player succeeds in removing
62
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s other players' coins, those coins are now his or her to
keep.
The board game 1600 generally contains a microcon-
troller 1619, a speech/sound synthesizer 1620, a speaker
1622, an RFID reader/interrogator 1616, and' an antenna
6 1624. A control program controlling the microcontroller
is also available. There could be one RFID reader/inter-
rogator 1616 in each control box 1616, i, e. in each
corner of the board. An antenna is associated with each
RFID reader/interrogator 1604.
11 Variations on the number and placement of RFID
readers 1604 may be implemented based on the play-pattern
desired. For example, there could be more than four RFID
readers on the board, a number of antennas are placed in
the middle of the playfield 1610, and the like. There
could also be four separate antennas, one located in each
corner of the board. Each area may have a separate
antenna, which can be multiplexed by a single
interrogator. This way, the game can be played knowing
which specific objects are in which specific location in
21 the game board .
An example of coins that may be used is specialized
POKEMON~ coins. These coins each contain an RFID tag IC
and antenna. One of the play patterns involves having an
audio response When a user puts a coin down or flips a
25 coin. For example, when a player puts a Mew coin, the
speaker projects "Mew!" When a Pikachu coin a.s flipped
into the board, the user hears "Pika!." When a user flips
a coin, the user hears "Hooray!"
The play pattern may also be such that within the
3i game, each coin grows up and gets special powers
63
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s permanently. This can be done by reading and updating the
RFID read/write tag ICs of appropriate coins.
For example, special powers may be added or increased
if the experience points of the coin reach a certain
predetermined value. This value is controlled by the game
6 program.
During the start of the game or the new introduction
of coins in the game, the coins, for example, are updated
with initial value, such as initial hit points, power
points, and special points. During the course of the
11 game, for example, if a coin is detected in the out of
field zone 1614 (detected by an appropriate antenna placed
in this area), hit points are decreased, for example, by
ten points. When the hit points become zero, the coin
"faints" or loses.
16 If a coin is detected by an antenna placed at or near
the danger zone, sound effects may also be played.
Variations on different board games play pattern rules and
design may be implemented using the features of the
inventions described herein.
21
In still another embodiment of the invention, a board
game 1700 (Fig. 17) has a number of RFID tag ICs 1722
placed within the board identifying locations, letters,
shapes, pictures, symbols, depictions, animals, fruits, or
26 whatever is desired in the play pattern of the game. The
play pattern of this game, for example, is the placing of
hand-held units, such as three-dimensional items or tokens
1704, 1702 over or near the printed pictures 1720 on the
board 1730. This could be used as part of a guessing
31 game, an adventure game, a role-playing game, and any
other play pattern desired.
64
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
s These hand-held three-dimensional items or detectors
1704, 1702 are used to interact or play With the board and
act as master/host/server units. Each three-dimensional
detector 1704, 1702 generally includes an RFID
reader/interrogator 1712, an antenna 1714, a processor, a
6 program controlling the processor, and a speaker to
project sound, speech, and sound effects. Each detector
functions as a master unit such that placing or moving the
item over a board location triggers the detector to
respond with programmed sounds, music, and 'the like.
11 An RFID tag IC 1722 and an antenna 1724 are present
underneath each printed depiction to identify the location
or the picture. This way, when the detector master units
1702, 1704 are placed on the game board, the detectors can
respond by saying if the tokens are placed in the correct
16 locations. Variable play substance information, such as
the number of times a detector is placed properly on a
picture, is written into the memory associated with the
RFID tag IC. In general, the detectors move about the
game board and can detect tags at certain locations, thus
21 affecting game play, variable play substance information,
points, sounds, visual presentation (if available), and
other play patterns of the game.
The present invention has been described above in
25 terms of preferred embodiments so that an understanding of
the invention can be conveyed. There are, however, many
configurations, forms, play-pattern environments, rules
and logic, and circuit designs for master/server/host toys
and play objects, not specifically described herein but to
3s which the present invention a.s still applicable.
CA 02463302 2004-04-07
WO 03/043709 PCT/US02/37425
z The foregoing illustrates preferred embodiments of
the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation.
For example, the RFID reader/interrogator and/or the RFID
tag may come from other manufacturers, the play-patterns
modified to accommodate different set of play-patterns or
6 game rules, the play objects are housed in different forms
(e. g. toy lamp, toy desk, toy chair, etc.)~, a different
set of play objects is used, information contained in the
RFID tags differs from those described herein, the game
board is different, or the user presentation differs from
11 the one described herein. A person skilled in this field
will recognize that such variations may exist without
departing from the principles of the invention. The
present invention should therefore not be seen as limited
to the particular embodiments described herein, but rather
16 should be understood to have wide applicability with
respect to master/server/host toys and play objects. All
modifications, variations, or equivalent arrangements and
implementations that are within the scope of the attached
claims should therefore be considered within the scope of
2s the invention.
26
31
66
