Physical pieces for interactive application using touch screen devices

Number: 10293247
Published: 2019-05-21
Filed: 2011-07-07
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Heatherly; Christopher W., Ong; Kenlip, Mkrtchyan; Armen, Backer; Jonathan, White; Brian
CPC: G06F3/0488; G06F3/044; G06F3/04162; A63F3/00643; A63F13/40; A63F13/2145
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Physical pieces for interactive touch screen application.

Abstract

There are provided systems and methods for facilitating an interaction with a first peripheral device using a touch-sensitive system having a processor and a touch surface. An example method includes detecting, using the processor, the first peripheral device touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system, identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system, and determining, using the processor, that the first peripheral device has an accessory attached thereto. A method may include determining, using the processor, transformation of the first peripheral device. Another method may include determining, using the processor, a position of the first peripheral device with respect to digital elements displayed on the touch surface, and interacting with the first peripheral device based on the position of the first peripheral device with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface.

Background

RELATED APPLICATIONS(1) This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/806,986, filed Aug. 24, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/399,249, filed on Jul. 8, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(2) 1. Field of the Invention(3) The present invention relates generally to the field of gaming, and more particularly, to gaming using touch-sensitive surfaces.(4) 2. Background Art(5) Touch-sensitive devices, such as touch screen devices, are becoming increasingly prevalent in the marketplace. These touch-sensitive devices offer a touch-sensitive surface that can detect the presence and position of touch-based input opening up the possibility of new ways to interact with electronic devices. The popularity of recent touch screen devices, such as iPad from APPLE®, means that touch screen devices can be found among many family households. At the same time, physical toys remain a staple of kids, with collectible figures and objects serving as a bedrock for imaginative toy play in the form of interaction between the figures and objects as well as the larger environment.(6) In this context, kids are having increased exposure to touch screen devices making it desirable to provide new technologies, which can enhance the interactive experience with touch screen devices and their existing toys.(7) The conventional approach is to integrate toys with video games or other software running on a

Claims

1. A method of facilitating an interaction with a physical toy using a touch-sensitive system having a processor and a touch surface, the physical toy having a receiving part for attaching a physical accessory thereto and detaching the physical accessory therefrom, the method comprising: running, using the processor, an interactive software on touch-sensitive system; displaying, using the processor, digital elements on a screen display of the touch surface; detecting, using the touch surface and the processor, the physical toy using a plurality of touch points of the physical toy touching the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system when the physical accessory is not attached to the physical toy; determining, using the processor, a position of the physical toy with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface; determining, using the processor, that the physical accessory is attached to the physical toy by detecting, using the touch surface, one of the plurality of touch points of the physical toy, wherein the one of the plurality of touch points is activated in response to attaching the physical accessory to the receiving part of the physical toy; and interacting with the physical toy based on the physical accessory attached to the physical toy and the position of the physical toy with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface. 8. A touch-sensitive system facilitating an interaction with a physical toy having a receiving part for attaching a physical accessory thereto and detaching the physical accessory therefrom, the touch-sensitive system comprising: a touch surface; and a processor configured to run an interactive software for: displaying digital elements on a screen display of the touch surface; detecting, using the touch surface, the physical toy using a plurality of touch points of the physical toy touching the touch surface when the physical accessory is not attached to the physical toy; determining a position of the physical toy with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface; determine that the physical accessory is attached to the physical toy by detecting, using the touch surface, one of the plurality of touch points of the physical toy, wherein the one of the plurality of touch points is activated in response to attaching the physical accessory to the receiving part of the physical toy; and interacting with the physical toy based on the physical accessory attached to the physical toy and the position of the physical toy with respect to the digital elements displayed on the touch surface.