Storytelling environment: altering gameplay based on battery life

Number: 9675888
Published: 2017-06-13
Filed: 2015-02-11
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Goslin; Michael P., Haseltine; Eric C., Olson; Joseph L., Carter; Robert N.
CPC: A63F13/497; A63H3/003; A63F13/47; A63F13/92; A63F13/95; A63F13/98; A63F13/65
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A storytelling toy system that modifies which story actions play back based on the devices remaining battery charge level.

Abstract

Embodiments provide techniques for modifying story playback based on battery charge levels. A story that includes a plurality of actions and, for each of the plurality of actions, stimulus criteria indicating when the respective action is to be performed, is retrieved for playback. Embodiments determine a plurality of available storytelling devices for use in playback of the story and assign each of the plurality of actions withinthe story to a respective one or more of the plurality of available storytelling devices,based at least in part on a respective indication of battery charge for the respective storytelling device. Playback of the story is then initiated using, for each of the plurality of actions, the assigned one or more available storytelling devices to perform the respective action, responsive to a determination that the corresponding stimulus criteria is satisfied.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings.(2) It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting ofits scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.(3) FIG. 1 illustrates a playtime environment in which a controller is instructing interactive devices, according to one embodiment described herein.(4) FIG. 2 illustrates a storytelling environment with a plurality of playgroups, according to one embodiment described herein.(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a story, according to one embodiment described herein.(6) FIGS. 4A-B illustrate device configuration information for storytelling devices, according to one embodiment described herein.(7) FIG. 5 illustrates an interactive device capable of performing multiple actions as part of a response within a story, according to one embodiment described herein.(8) FIG. 6 illustrates a story containing multiple paths, according to one embodiment described herein.(9) FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for assigning story actions to devices based on battery charge information for the devices, according to one embodiment described herein.(10) FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustratin

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer program code, that, when executed, performs an operation comprising: retrieving a story for playback, the story comprising a plurality of actions and, for each of the plurality of actions, stimulus criteria indicating when the respective action is to be performed; determining a plurality of available storytelling devices for use in playback of the story; assigning each of the plurality of actions within the story to a respective one or more of the plurality of available storytelling devices, based at least in part on a respective indication of battery charge for the respective storytelling device; and initiating playback of thestory using, for each of the plurality of actions, the assigned one or more available storytelling devices to perform the respective action, responsive to a determination that thecorresponding stimulus criteria is satisfied. 12. A storytelling device, comprising: a processor; and a memory containing an audio effect and a program that, when executed by the processor, performs an operation comprising: retrieving a story for playback, the story comprising a plurality of actions and, for each of the plurality of actions, stimulus criteria indicating when the respective action is to be performed; determining a plurality of available storytelling devices for use in playback of the story; assigning each of the plurality of actions within the story to a respective one or more of the plurality of availablestorytelling devices, based at least in part on a respective indication of battery chargefor the respective storytelling device; and initiating playback of the story using, for each of the plurality of actions, the assigned one or more available storytelling devices to perform the respective action, responsive to a determination that the corresponding stimulus criteria is satisfied. 20. A method, comprising: retrieving a story for playback, thestory comprising a plurality of actions and, for each of the plurality of actions, stimulus criteria indicating when the respective action is to be performed; determining a plurality of available storytelling devices for use in playback of the story; assigning, by operation of one or more computer processors, each of the plurality of actions within the story to a respective one or more of the plurality of available storytelling devices, based atleast in part on a respective indication of battery charge for the respective storytelling device; and initiating playback of the story using, for each of the plurality of actions, the assigned one or more available storytelling devices to perform the respective action, responsive to a determination that the corresponding stimulus criteria is satisfied.