INTERACTIVE TOY SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/710,123, filed 22 Oct. 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Examples of the present disclosure generally relate to interactive toy systems and methods for operating interactive toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many developments made to toys in recent years have focused on enhancing play for a child user for providing a certain amount of interaction between the user and the toy. To this end, toy manufacturers have attempted to incorporate mechanical and electrical systems to provide visual and audible feedback to the user from the toy. Such improvements in the inter-activeness of a seemingly responsive toy have continuously evolved and have further enhanced play for the user. The addition of sensors, infrared (IR) technologies, and a programmable information processor for actuation of mechanical systems in the toy has added to the responsiveness and more life-like interactions.

However, there is a need to further incorporate another dimension of interaction to create an immersive environmental experience for the user. For example, an interactive toy that may be communicatively coupled with one or more secondary devices to synchronize the ambient environment of the play-space may provide the user with an immersive experience, thereby enhancing the interaction between the user and the toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain examples of the present disclosure provide a system that includes a first element comprising a first controller having one or more processors to control one or more operations of the first element. The first element includes a first user interface, a first communication module, and a first output module that outputs one or more first signals. A second element includes a second controller having one or more processors. The second element includes a second communication module and a second output module that outputs one or more second signals. The first element operates in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the first controller of the first element controls the first output module of the first element. In the second mode of operation, the first controller controls the first output module of the first element and remotely controls the second output module of the second element.

Certain examples of the present disclosure provide a method that includes operating a first element in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, a first controller of the first element controls a first output module of the first element. The first output module of the first element outputs one or more first signals. In the second mode of operation, the first controller of the first element controls the first output module of the first element and the first controller of the first element remotely controls a second output module of a second element. The second output module of the second element outputs one or more second signals.

Certain examples of the present disclosure provide an interactive toy system that includes a controlling element comprising a first controller that controls one or more operations of the controlling element. The controlling element includes a first communication module and a first output module that outputs one or more first signals. The interactive toy system also includes a reactive element comprising a second controller. The reactive element includes a second communication module and a second output module that outputs one or more second signals. The controlling element operates in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the first controller of the controlling element controls the first output module of the controlling element to output the one or more first signals. In the second mode of operation, the first controller of the controlling element controls the first output module of the controlling element to output the one or more first signals and remotely controls the second output module of the reactive element to output the one or more second signals. A combination of the first signals of the first output module and the second signals of the second output module change an environment of the interactive toy system while the controlling element is operating in the second mode of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter may be understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an interactive toy system in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates non-limiting examples of housings of a reactive element of an interactive toy system in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of operating a first interactive toy system in a first mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of operating the first interactive toy system in a second mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of operating a second interactive toy system in a first mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of operating the second interactive toy system in a second mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of operating a third interactive toy system in a first and second modes of operation in accordance with one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein may provide interactive toy systems and methods for controlling operation of interactive toy systems. The toy system may include a first element that may be referred to as a primary element, a controlling element, or the like. The first element may be an interactive toy element that a user may interact with or play with. The first element may be controlled to output one or more first signals that may be audio signals, visual signals, motion signals, or the like. Additionally, the first element may interact with, communicate with, and/or remotely control a second element. The second element may be referred to as a secondary element, a reactive element, or the like. The second element may be communicatively coupled with the first element and may output one or more second signals. For example, the second signals may be output by the second element based in part on the first signals that are output by the first element. Optionally, the second signals may be output by the second element responsive to the second element receiving command messages and/or instructions from the first element.

In one or more examples, the first signals output by the first element, the second signals output by the second element, and/or a combination of the first and second elements may change an environment in which the user is interacting with the interactive toy system. The first and second signals may be synchronized to change the ambient environment of the play-space in which the user is interactive with the toy system. For example, the first and second signals may be synchronized with the play actions of the first element. For example, the first and second signals may change a lighting setting of the environment, may change an audio setting of the environment, or the like, that may be coordinated with and/or synchronized with the actions of the first element. The change in the environment by the first and/or second signals may provide the user of the interactive toy system with an immersive interactive experience as the user plays with the first element.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain examples will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one example” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular condition can include additional elements not having that condition.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of one example of a system, such as an interactive toy system 100, according to one example of the present disclosure. The interactive toy system 100 includes a first element 102 and a second element 122. As one example, the first element 102 may be referred to as a primary element, a primary device, a controlling element, a controlling device, or the like. The second element 122 may be referred to as a reactive element, a secondary device, or the like.

The first element 102 includes a controller 104 (e.g., a first controller) that represents hardware circuitry that is coupled with and/or includes one or more processors (e.g., one or more microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, integrated circuits, or the like) that perform determined operations. In one or more examples, the first controller 104 may include a single processors or multiple processors. All operations can be performed by each processor, or each processor may perform at least one different operation than one or more (or all other processors).

The first element 102 includes a first communication module 106 that may include and/or represent one or more antennas, transceivers, radios, and/or the like, that enable wired and/or wireless communication between the systems of the first element 102, between the first element 102 and the second element 122, or the like.

In at least one example, the first element 102 may include a user interface 108 that may include and/or represent one or more input/output devices. For example, the user interface 108 may be a monitor, a screen, a touchscreen, a keypad, a keyboard, a microphone, a button, a switch, or any alternative device or mechanism that may allow an operator of the first element 102 to communicate with the first controller 104.

The first element 102 includes an output module 110 that may include and/or represent one or more output devices that may output one or more signals. The output device(s) of the output module 110 may include speakers, amplifiers, motors, lighting elements, or the like. As one example, the output module may include a speaker that may output one or more audio signals. As another example, the output module may include a lighting system that may include a lighting element (e.g., a light bulb) that may output one or more visual signals. As another example, the output module may include one or more motors and/or a vibrational element that may output one or more motion signals.

In one example, the first element 102 may represent a toy or a portion of a toy, such as a doll, an animal, a robot, a tool or weapon, or the like. The output module 110 may output one or more signals by the toy, such as to change a position of an extremity of the animal, to change a setting of a lighting feature of the robot (e.g., change light colors, to blink, to flash, or the like), to cause a doll to laugh or cry, to cause a sword to vibrate (e.g., a haptic response), or the like. For example, the output module 110 may allow the first element 102 (e.g., the toy) to output one or more signals, such as while a user is interacting with the toy, responsive to the user engaging with the user interface 108, responsive to the user changing a position, location, setting, or the like, of the toy or a feature or element of the toy, or the like.

The second element 122 of the interactive toy system 100 includes a controller 124 (e.g., a second controller) that represents hardware circuitry that is coupled with and/or includes one or more processors (e.g., one or more microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, integrated circuits, or the like) that perform determined operations. In one or more examples, the second controller 124 may include a single processors or multiple processors. All operations can be performed by each processor, or each processor may perform at least one different operation than one or more (or all other processors).

As used herein, the term “controller,” “control unit,” “central processing unit,” or the like may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor including hardware, software, or a combination thereof capable of executing the functions described herein. Such are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of such terms. For example, the first and/or second controllers 104, 124 may be or include one or more processors that are configured to control operation, as described herein. The circuits in various examples may be configured to execute one or more algorithms to perform functions described herein. The one or more algorithms may include aspects of examples disclosed herein, whether or not expressly identified in a flowchart or a method.

The second element 122 includes a second communication module 126 that may include and/or represent one or more antennas, transceivers, radios, and/or the like, that enable wired and/or wireless communication between the systems of the second element 122, via a one-way communication link and/or a bi-directional communication link 114 between the first element 102 and the second element 122, or the like.

In one example, the communication module 126 of the second element 122 may include one or more of the same or similar devices as the communication module 106 of the first element 102. The first and second communication modules 106, 126 of the first and second elements 102, 122 may communicate with each other via one or more communication types. Suitable communication types can include, but are not limited to, radio and shortwave communication types, wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, or the like), or the like. As another example, the second element 122 may be configured to listen for and/or identify a predetermined audible tone that may be output by the communication module 106 of the first element 102. Optionally, the first and second elements may communicate by any non-limiting means of unit-to-unit communication.

The second element 122 also includes an output module 130 (e.g. a second output module 130) that may include and/or represent one or more output devices that may output one or more signals. The output device(s) of the output module 110 may include speakers, amplifiers, motors, lighting elements, or the like.

In one or more examples, the output module 130 of the second element 122 may interact with one or more systems or devices of a housing in which the second element 122 is disposed within or coupled to. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates non-limiting examples of housings of the second element 122 (e.g., the reactive element) of the interactive toy system 100 in accordance with one embodiment. The second element 122 may be disposed within or coupled to a light fixture 200A (e.g., a standalone light fixture or a mounted light fixture), a fan 200B, an audio device 200C (e.g., a speaker element or speaker system, or the like), a display device 200D (e.g., a projector, a screen, or the like), or the like.

In other examples, the second element 122 may be disposed within a toy or a portion of a toy, such as a doll, an animal, a robot, a tool or weapon, or the like, and the second element 122 may be independently controlled, played with, interacted with, or the like. The second element 122 may operate as an interactive element in some instances, and may operate as a reactive element in other instances. As one example, the second element 122 can be disposed within a housing or toy that is similar to a housing of the first element 102. For example, the first and second elements may be housed in toys of a similar group (e.g., racecars, dinosaurs, toy swords, dolls, etc.) and may operate to interact with each other or may be independently played with by a user (e.g., without interacting with the other element).

In one or more examples, the first element 102 may be disposed within a housing that has a shape and/or appearance of a first toy. Additionally, the second element 122 may be disposed within a housing that has a shape and/or appearance of a second toy. In one example, the housing of the second toy (e.g., the second element 122) may have a substantially similar appearance, style, shape, and/or size as the housing of the first toy (e.g., the first element 102). For example, each of the first element 102 and the second element 122 may be disposed in similarly shaped toys, such as toy swords, toy wands, toy figurines, or the like. The examples shown in FIG. 2 are merely exemplary and are non-limiting.

In one or more examples, the second element 122 may include a user interface that may include and/or represent one or more input/output devices. For example, the user interface of the second element 122 may be a monitor, a screen, a touchscreen, a keypad, a keyboard, a microphone, a button, a switch, or any alternative device or mechanism that may allow an operator of the second element 122 to communicate with the second controller 124.

Returning to FIG. 1, in one or more examples, the first element 102 and/or the second element 122 may include a memory (not shown) that may be in communication with the processors of the first and/or second controllers 104, 124, respectively. The memory may store instructions, received data, generated data, and/or the like. The memory may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element within a processing machine.

In at least one example, the first and/or second controllers 104, 124 may include, may receive, may have access to (e.g., stored within a memory), or the like, a set of instructions that may include various commands that instruct the first and/or second controllers 104, 124 as a processing machine to perform specific operations such as the methods and processes of the various examples of the subject matter described herein. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms such as system software or application software. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program subset within a larger program, or a portion of a program. The software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, or in response to results of previous processing, or in response to a request made by another processing machine.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program stored in a data storage unit (for example, one or more memories) for execution by a computer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above data storage unit types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart 300 of one example of a method of operating the interactive toy system 100 shown in FIG. 1. In one or more examples, the steps of the flowchart 300 may be performed in an alternative order, two or more steps may be completed at substantially the same time, the flowchart may include one or more additional steps, or the like.

At 302, the first element 102 is operated in a first mode of operation. For example, a user or operator of the first element 102 may play with, interact with, use, or the like, the first element (e.g., the first interactive toy). The user or operator may input information via the user interface 108 such as by pushing a button, moving an extremity or feature of the first element, or the like. At 304, the first output module 110 of the first element 102 may output one or more first signals. The first signals may be audio signals, visual signals, motion signals, or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of operating the first element 102 of a first interactive toy system in a first mode of operation 400 in accordance with one embodiment. In the illustrated example, the first element 102 is disposed within a first structure or first housing 402 that is in the shape of a toy sword. For example, the first housing has the shape and/or appearance of a toy. A user 404 may input information into or change a setting of the first element 102, such as by swinging the toy sword, pushing a button (not shown) disposed on the toy sword, or the like. Responsive to changing a setting or position of the first element 102, or the entering of information into the user interface of the first element 102, the output module of the first element 102 may output one or more first signals 406. The first signals 406 may include audio signals, visual signals, motion signals of one or more features of the first element 102, or the like. For example, while the first element 102 operates in the first mode of operation, the first controller 104 of the first element 102 controls operation of the output module 110 to output the one or more first signals 406. For example, the user 404 may play with or interact with the first element 102 as an independent toy.

Returning to FIG. 3, at 306, a determination is made if the mode of operation of the first element 102 should change from the first mode of operation to a different, second mode of operation. If the mode of operation does not need to change (e.g., the user 404 wants to continue playing with the first element 102 as an independent toy), flow of the method returns to 302. Alternatively, if the mode of operation does need to change, flow of the method proceeds toward 308.

At 308, the first element 102 may be operated in a second mode of operation. FIG. 5 illustrates one example of operating the first element 102 of the first interactive toy system in a second mode of operation 500, in accordance with one embodiment. At 310, a determination is made if the first output module of the first element 102 is to output one or more first signals while the first element 102 operates in the second mode of operation. If no first signals need to be output, flow of the method proceeds toward 314. Alternatively, if one or more first signals need to be output by the first element 102, flow of the method proceeds toward 312. For example, in one or more embodiments, the first element 102 may output first signals while the first element operates in the second mode of operation. As another example, the first element 102 may not output first signals while the first element operates in the second mode of operation.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, at 312, one or more first signals 406 may be output by the first output module 110 of the first element 102.

Additionally, during operation of the first element 102 in the second mode of operation, at 314, operation of the second controller 124 of the second element 122 may be controlled with the first controller 104 of the first element 102. As one example, the first controller 104 of the first element 102 may communicate one or more command messages to the second controller 124 of the second element 122 via a communication link 414. As one example, the communication link 414 may be a bi-directional communication link between the first and second communication modules of the first and second elements, respectively. As another example, the communication link 414 may be a one-way broadcast data transmission communicated by the first communication module of the first element 102 and received by the second communication module of the second element 122. The command message(s) may include one or more instructions for the second controller 124 instructing the second controller 124 how to control operation of the second output module 130. For example, the command messages may instruct the second controller 124 how to control operation of the second output module 130.

As another example, the first controller 104 of the first element 102 may remotely and wirelessly control the second output module 130 of the second element 122. For example, the first controller 104 may bypass the second controller 124 and may directly control operation of the second output module 130.

At 316, one or more second signals 506 may be output by the second output module 130 of the second element 122. For example, while the first element 102 operates in the second mode of operation (e.g., shown in FIG. 5), the first element 102 may output the first signals 406 and the second element 122 may output the second signals 506. For example, the first controller 104 of the first element 102 may control operation of the first output module 110 and the first controller 104 may remotely control operation of the second output module 130.

In one or more examples, the second signals 506 may include audio signals, visual signals, motion signals of one or more features of the second element 122, of a second housing or second structure 422 to which the second element 122 is coupled or disposed within, or the like. In one or more examples, the one or more second signals 506 may change an environment 410 or space in which the first and/or second elements 102, 122 are disposed. Optionally, a combination of the first signals 406 and the second signals 506 may change the environment 410, space, area, or the like, in which the first and second elements 102, 122 are disposed.

In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 5, the second element 122 is operably coupled with or disposed within a light fixture 422, and the second signals 506 may be visual signals such as changing a lighting setting of the light fixture 422 (e.g., blinking of flashing the light, changing a color of the light, changing an intensity of the light, turning the light on or off, or the like).

In one or more examples, the first signals 406 output by the first output module 110 of the first element 102 may correspond to and/or correlate with the second signals 506 output by the second output module 130 of the second element 122, and may be synchronized with play actions of the first element. For example, the first and second signals may be synchronized to change the ambient environment of the play-space in which the user is playing with the interactive toy system, such as by changing a projection, lighting, sound effects, or the like, of the ambient environment, based on the play actions of the first element (e.g., the toy). For example, the first and second signals 406, 506 may be visual signals such as a change in a light feature of the first and second elements, and the change in light feature may be to flash or blink both light features in a random or patterned manner, to change an intensity of both light features, to change a color of one light feature to correspond to another light feature, or the like. As another example, the first signals 406 may be audio signals and the second signals 506 may be visual signals that may be coordinated and/or synced together in a predetermined manner. The first and second signals 406, 506 may be synchronized with each other and with actions of the first element while the user 404 interacts with the first element.

As another example, one or more of the second signals 506 may be based in part on the first signals 406. For example, the second signals 506 that are output or executed by the second output module 130 subsequent to one or more of the first signals 406 may be responsive to, reactive to, or the like, one or more of the first signals 406. As one example, if the second controller 124 identifies that one of the first signals 406 has changed a color of the first output module 110 to blue, the second controller 124 may control the second output module 130 to change a color of the second output module 110 to blue. Alternatively, if the second controller 124 identifies that one of the first signals 406 has changed a color of the first output module 110 to green, the second controller 124 may control the second output module 130 to change a color of the second output module 110 to red. For example, the second controller 124 may react to and/or respond to the first signals 406 that are output by the first output module 110. Optionally, the first controller 104 may react to one or more of the second signals 506 that are output by the second output module 130.

As another example, the first and second signals may be executed (e.g., output) by the first and second output modules, respectively, according to a timeline of execution. For example, the first and second controllers 104, 124 may have data associated with a predetermined or known timeline or sequence of execution indicating an order in which the first and second signals are to be executed. As one example, the timeline of execution may include a first audio signal by the first element, a first visual signal by the first element subsequent to the first audio signal, and a first visual signal by the second element subsequent to the first visual signal. As another example, the timeline of execution may include a first audio signal by the first element, and a second audio signal by the second element that is to be executed or output at a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or the like) after the execution of the first audio signal. Optionally, the first and second signals may be executed in an alternative sequencing or order, according to an alternative timeline or timing structure, or the like.

In one or more examples, the first element 102 may be referred to as a first interactive toy such that the user 404 may independently play with or interact with the first interactive toy without playing with another element (e.g., the second element) while the first interactive toy operates in the first mode of operation. Alternatively, the first interactive toy may operate in the second mode of operation thereby allowing the user 404 to interact with the first interactive toy 102 and the second element 122. For example, the second or reactive element 122 may react to one or more of the first signals 406 of the first interactive toy 102 by outputting one or more second signals 506 while the first interactive toy operates in the second mode of operation.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of operating a second interactive toy system in a first mode of operation 600, and FIG. 7 illustrates an example of operating the second interactive toy system in a second mode of operation 700. The examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are merely exemplary and are non-limiting.

In the illustrated example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the interactive toy system includes the first element 102 that is coupled with and/or disposed within a first structure 602 that is in the shape of a toy animal (e.g., a dinosaur). The second element 122 is coupled with and/or disposed within a second structure 622, which may represent a ceiling light and fan structure. While the first element 102 operates in the first mode of operation 600 shown in FIG. 6, the user 404 may interact, engage, and/or play with the first element 102 and the first structure 602. The first element 102 and/or the first structure 602 may emit or output one or more first signals 606.

Alternatively, the first element 102 may operate in the second mode of operation 700 shown in FIG. 7. While the first element 102 operates in the second mode of operation 700, the first element 102 may output the first signals 606. Additionally, the first element 102 may communicate one or more command messages to the second controller of the second element 122 via a one-way transmission and/or a bi-directional communication link 614. The command message(s) may include one or more instructions for the second controller instructing the second controller how to control operation of the second output module. For example, the first controller 104 of the first element 102 may control operation of the first output module 110 and the first controller 104 may remotely control operation of the second output module 130 while the first element 102 operates in the second mode of operation 700.

The second output module of the second element 122 may output one or more second signals 706. In one or more examples, the second signals 706 may include audio signals, visual signals, motion signals of one or more features of the second element 122, of the second housing or second structure 622. In the illustrated example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second element 122 is operably coupled with or disposed within the ceiling light and fan structure 622. The second signals 706 may be visual signals such as changing a lighting setting of the light fixture (e.g., blinking of flashing the light, changing a color of the light, changing an intensity of the light, turning the light on or off, or the like), may be a motion signals such as changing a rotational speed setting of the fan, or the like. The second signals 706 may be coordinated with and/or synchronized with one or more actions or movements of the first element while the user 404 interacts with or plays with the first element.

In one or more examples, the outputs by the first and/or second elements 102, 122 may change the ambient environment of the play space. For example, the first and/or second elements may output blue lights and ocean wave sounds to evoke a feeling of a beach. As another example, the first and/or second elements may output flashing yellow lights and vibrations to give the feeling of a storm. As another example, the first and/or second elements may output green pulsing lights and a characterized audio voice to evoke the presence of a specific character. As another example, the first and/or second elements may output projecting stars and planets to manifest a setting of space. As another example, the first and/or second elements may light up a playset room to match the color and/or emotion of a doll of the playset. For example, the outputs by the first and/or second elements may change the environment in which the user is playing to provide an immersive experience to the user.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of operating a third interactive toy system 800 operating in first and second modes of operation. The example shown in FIG. 8 is exemplary and is non-limiting. In the illustrated example, the interactive toy system 800 includes the first element 102 that is coupled with and/or disposed within a first structure 802 that is in the shape of a toy (e.g., a dinosaur). The second element 122 is coupled with and/or disposed within a second structure 822 that is also in the shape of a toy (e.g., a dinosaur). In alternative embodiments, the first structure may be in the shape of a dinosaur, and the second structure may be in the shape of an alternative kind of dinosaur, of another type of toy associated with the Mesozoic Era, etc. In another embodiment, the first structure may be a first kind of toy vehicle (e.g., a dump truck), and the second structure may be a second kind of toy vehicle (e.g., a crane, a firetruck, another utility vehicle, etc.). In another embodiment, the first structure may be a first kind of doll, and the second structure may be a second kind of doll. In another embodiment, the first structure may be a type of doll, and the second structure may be an item that may be used by and/or associated with the doll (e.g., a toy car, a play house, etc.). Optionally, the first and second structures may be in the shape of any alternative similar and/or dissimilar toys or other elements.

While the first and second elements 102, 122 operate in the first modes of operation, the first user 404 may interact, engage, and/or play with the first element 102 and the first structure 802, and a second user 804 may interact, engage, and/or play with the second element 122 and the second structure 822. For example, the first and second users 404, 804, may independently play with the first and second structures 802, 822. Optionally, the first and second elements 102, 122 may output one or more first signals 806 and one or more second signals 816, respectively. The signals 806, 816 may be independent of each other, may not respond to each other, may not be communicated between the different elements 102, 122, etc.

Alternatively, the first element 102 and the second element 122 may operate in the second mode of operation in which the first and second signals 806, 816 are communicated between the first and second elements 102, 122 via a bi-directional communication link 814. As one example, the first element 102 may operate as the controlling element, the commanding system, the lead system, etc., and the second element 122 may operate as the reactive element, the secondary system, the receiving system, etc. For example, the first element 102 may communicate command signals to the second controller of the second element 122 to control operation of the second output module. The second output module of the second element 122 may receive the first command signals 806, and may output the second signals 816 based at least in part on the first command signals 806. For example, the first command signals may include instructions for remotely controlling operation of the second element 122. The second signals 816 may be output by the second element as audio signals, visual signals, motion signals, or the like, of one or more features of the second element 122 and/or features of the second structure 822. In one or more embodiments, the first element 102 may receive the second signals 816 via the communication link 814, and may change an operating setting of the first element 102 and/or the first structure 802 in response. For example, while the interactive toy system 800 operates in the second mode of operation, the first and second elements 102, 122 may respond to signals output by the other element, such as in a back-and-forth manner.

The diagrams of examples herein may illustrate one or more control or processing units, such as the first and/or second controllers 104, 124. It is to be understood that the processors or controllers may represent circuits, circuitry, or portions thereof that may be implemented as hardware with associated instructions (e.g., software stored on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a computer hard drive, ROM, RAM, or the like) that perform the operations described herein. The hardware may include state machine circuitry hardwired to perform the functions described herein. Optionally, the hardware may include electronic circuits that include and/or are connected to one or more logic-based devices, such as microprocessors, processors, controllers, or the like. Optionally, the first and/or second controllers 104, 124 may represent processing circuitry such as one or more of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microprocessor(s), and/or the like. The circuits in various examples may be configured to execute one or more algorithms to perform functions described herein. The one or more algorithms may include aspects of examples disclosed herein, whether or not expressly identified in a flowchart or a method.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, examples of the subject disclosure provide systems and methods that allow large amounts of data to be quickly and efficiently analyzed by a computing device. For example, the first and/or second controllers 104, 124 can receive and/or analyze various aspects of user interactions with the first element 102, and the like. The various aspects may include a length of time the user engages with the interactive toy system, a level of engagement of the user such as based on a speed at which information is input into the user interface, or the like. The first and second controllers 104, 124 may receive and analyze hundreds, thousands, or more sets of data over days, weeks, months, or years from numerous different users. As such, large amounts of data, which may not be discernable by human beings, are being tracked and analyzed. The vast amounts of data are efficiently organized and/or analyzed by the first and/or second controllers 104, 124, as described herein. The first and/or second controllers 104, 124 analyze the data in a relatively short time in order to quickly and efficiently determine one or more first and/or signals that are to be output by the first and second output modules, respectively, in order to create or change an interactive environmental playscape for a user engaging with the interactive toy system. A human being would be incapable of efficiently analyzing such vast amounts of data in such a short time. As such, examples of the present disclosure provide increased and efficient functionality, and vastly superior performance in relation to a human being reviewing and/or analyzing the vast amounts of data.

In at least one example, all or part of the systems and methods described herein may be or otherwise include an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine-learning system that can automatically perform the operations of the methods also described herein. For example, the first and/or second controllers 104, 124 can be an artificial intelligence or machine learning system. These types of systems may be trained from outside information and/or self-trained to repeatedly improve the accuracy with how data is analyzed. Over time, these systems can improve by determining such information with increasing accuracy and speed, thereby significantly improving the level of satisfaction of the user engaging with the interactive toy system. The AI or machine-learning systems described herein may include technologies enabled by adaptive predictive power and that exhibit at least some degree of autonomous learning to automate and/or enhance pattern detection (for example, recognizing irregularities or regularities in data), customization (for example, generating or modifying rules to optimize record matching), and/or the like. The systems may be trained and re-trained using feedback from one or more prior analyses of the data, ensemble data, and/or other such data. Based on this feedback, the systems may be trained and/or re-trained by adjusting one or more parameters, weights, rules, criteria, or the like, used in the analysis of the same. This process can be performed using the data and ensemble data instead of training data, and may be repeated many times to repeatedly improve the level of satisfaction of user. This provides a robust analysis model that can better determine situational information in a cost effective and efficient manner.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like can be used to describe examples of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various examples of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the aspects of the various examples of the disclosure, the examples are by no means limiting and are exemplary examples. Many other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various examples of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims and the detailed description herein, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the various examples of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various examples of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various examples of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.