- Number
- 9770651
- Published
- 2017-09-26
- Filed
- 2015-02-26
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Olson; Joseph L., Haseltine; Eric C., Goslin; Michael P.
- CPC
- A63F13/77; A63F13/235; A63F13/98; A63H3/003
- Verdict
- High Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
A storytelling toy device with embedded memory storing a set of effects, connected via a memory bus for use within a multi-device storytelling environment.
Abstract
Embodiments generally relate to toydevices having an embedded memory for use in a storytelling environment. One embodiment provides a toy device that includes a memory storing data representing a plurality of effects. The toy device includes a memory bus communicatively coupled to the memory and a communication port communicatively coupled to the memory bus. An action disc device connected to the communication port can retrieve at least a portion of the stored data for playback over the communication port. The action disc device is configured to, upon detecting that acorresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, retrieve data from the memory corresponding to one of the plurality of effects for playback using the communication port. The toy device further includes a connector mechanism to which the action disc device can be removably attached, while the action disc device is connected to the communication port.
Background
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understoodin 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 aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its 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 is a block diagram illustrating an interactive device in communication with a controller device, according to one embodiment described herein.(5) FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of updating firmware on an interactive device, according to one embodiment described herein.(6) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an interactive device having integrated memory and configured to communicate with an action disc device, according to one embodiment described herein.(7) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an interactive device having integrated memory and configured to communicate with an action disc device, according to one embodiment described herein.(8) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of detecting a direction a second interactive device is located in relative to a first interactive device, according t
Claims
1. A toy device, comprising: a memory storing data representing a plurality of effects; a memory bus communicatively coupled to the memory; a communication port communicatively coupled to the memory bus, wherein an action disc device connected to the communication port can retrieve at least a portion of the stored data for playback over the communication port, and wherein the action disc device is configured to, upon detecting that a corresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, retrieve data from the memory corresponding to one of the plurality of effects for playback using the communication port; a connector mechanism to which the action disc device can be removably attached, while the action disc device is connected to the communication port; one or more surfaces adapted to allow light to pass through; and a light-emitting diode configured to emit light through the oneor more surfaces, wherein the light source is powered using at least one of (i) a power source of the action disc device and (ii) a battery connected to the light-emitting diode and configured to power the light-emitting diode only upon receipt of a control signal fromthe action disc device on the communication port.
9. An action disc device, comprising: one or more output devices; a communications adapter for communicatively connecting to a communication port of a toy device; a connector mechanism for removably attaching the actiondisc device to a toy device, while the action disc device is connected to a communicationport of the toy device; a power source; a light source connected to the power source and positioned to emit light into one or more optical fibers of the toy device, when the connector mechanism is removably attached to the toy device; and logic configured to: detect the communications adapter is connected to a first communication port of the toy device; retrieve, using the communications adapter, effect data stored within a memory of the toy device for playback; and upon detecting that a corresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, output the retrieved effect data for playback using the one or more output devices.16. A toy device, comprising: a memory storing (i) data representing a plurality of effects and (ii) data describing one or more stimulus events, wherein each of the one or more stimulus events comprises a respective stimulus condition and a respective action to be performed upon satisfaction of the stimulus condition; a memory bus communicatively coupled to the memory; a communication port communicatively coupled to the memory bus, wherein an action disc device connected to the communication port can retrieve at least a portion of the stored data for playback over the communication port, and wherein the action disc device is configured to, upon detecting that a corresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, retrieve data from the memory corresponding to one of the plurality of effects for playback using the communication port; and a connector mechanism to which the action disc device can be removably attached, while the action disc device is connected to the communication port.
17. A toy device, comprising: a memory storing data representing a plurality ofeffects; a memory bus communicatively coupled to the memory; a communication port communicatively coupled to the memory bus, wherein an action disc device connected to the communication port can retrieve at least a portion of the stored data for playback over the communication port, and wherein the action disc device is configured to, upon detecting that a corresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, retrieve data from the memory corresponding to one of the plurality of effects for playback using the communication port; a connector mechanism to which the action disc device can be removably attached, while the action disc device is connected to the communication port; one or more external surfaces; and a light source comprising one or more optical fibers coupled at a first end to the communication port and coupled at a second end to the one or more external surfaces, wherein the action disc device connected to the communication port can transmit light through the one or more optical fibers to be emitted through the one or more external surfaces.
18. An action disc device, comprising: one or more output devices; a communications adapter for communicatively connecting to a communication port of a toy device; a connector mechanism for removably attaching the action disc device to a toy device, while the action disc device is connected to a communication port of the toy device; a power source connected to the communications adapter, such that the power source can power one or more light-emitting diodes within the toy device, when the connector mechanism is removably attached to the toy device; and logic configured to: detect the communications adapter is connected to a first communication port of the toy device; retrieve, using the communications adapter, effect data stored within a memory of the toy device for playback; and upon detecting that a corresponding stimulus condition has been satisfied, output the retrieved effect data for playback using the one or more output devices.