Dynamic interactive media for a playset

Number: 12115449
Published: 2024-10-15
Filed: 2021-10-06
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Yeung; Jason A. et al.
CPC: A63H33/38; A63H5/00; A63F13/23; A63F13/47; A63H33/42; A63F13/428; A63H3/28; A63H3/50
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Interactive playset toy hardware with dynamic media (granted).

Abstract

A playset comprises a plurality of hotspots positioned within a plurality of scenes. A switching mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the each of the plurality of hotspots and is communicatively coupled with a controller. The controller is configured to establish communication with a first object using a first hotspot and determine an object type of the first object and a location of the first object within the playset. The location of the first object corresponds to a scene that contains the first hotspot. The controller is further configured to select an interactive media based on the object type and the location of the first object, select a first media file based on the selected interactive media, and instruct the first media file to be output on an output device.

Background

BACKGROUND (1) Playsets having interactive features provide an enhanced user experience. Commonly, playsets include video and/or sound playback features that may be triggered based on a user's actions. For example, as a user inserts, removes, or moves objects (e.g., a play piece or a game piece) within a playset, the playset initiates media playback. However, in current implementations, the available media playback options are limited and do not allow a user to dynamically alter the story or song driving the playback options. For example, once a story is started, a user is unable to alter the progression of the story, limiting the user experience. (2) Thus, there is a need for a playset that allows a user to dynamically adjust an interactive story or song of a playset to improve the user experience. SUMMARY (3) In one embodiment, a playset comprises a plurality of scenes, a plurality of hotspots, and a switching mechanism. The plurality of hotspots is positioned within the plurality of scenes and configured to wirelessly couple with a first object. The switching mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the each of the plurality of hotspots. The switching mechanism is communicatively coupled with a controller. The controller is configured to establish communication with the first object using a first hotspot of the plurality of hotspots and determine an object type of the first object and a location of the first object within the playset. The location of the first obje

Claims

1. An interactive device comprising: a plurality of hotspots comprising antennas and configured to wirelessly communicate with an antenna of a first object; and a switching mechanism configured to selectively couple to the each of the plurality of hotspots via connecting elements, wherein the switching mechanism is communicatively coupled with a controller that is configured to: determine an object type of the first object and a location of the first object based on a signal received from the first object via a first hotspot of the plurality of hotspots, wherein the location of the first object corresponds to a location of the first hotspot; select an interactive media based on the object type and the location of the first object; and instruct a first media file of the selected interactive media to be output on an output device. || 11. A hardware controller configured to: determine an object type of a first object and a location of the first object based on a signal received from the first object via a first hotspot of a plurality of hotspots, wherein the location of the first object corresponds to a location of the first hotspot, and an antenna of the first object wirelessly communicates with an antenna of the first hotspot within an interactive device, and wherein the plurality of hotspots is coupled to a switching mechanism via connecting elements, the switching mechanism configured to couple the plurality of hotspots with the controller; select an interactive media based on the object type of the first object and the location of the first object; and instruct a first media file of the selected interactive media to be output on an output device. || 16. A method comprising: determining an object type of a first object and a location of the first object based on a signal received from the first object via a first hotspot of a plurality of hotspots, wherein the location of the first object corresponds to a location of the first hotspot, wherein an antenna of the first object wirelessly communicates with an antenna of the first hotspot within an interactive device, and the plurality of hotspots is coupled to a switching mechanism via connecting elements; selecting an interactive media based on the object type of the first object and the location of the first object; and instructing a first media file of the selected interactive media to be output on an output device.