Method and System to Authenticate Interactive Children's Toys

Abstract

A method and a system ( 10 ) which is capable of being implemented as a children's' toy. The system ( 10 ) is operable to interface an add-on device ( 20 a ) or a story to an interactive environment hosted by the system ( 10 ). The system ( 10 ) includes a response engine ( 30 ) which is operable to receive notification ( 225 ) from add-on devices introduced to the system ( 10 ). The response engine is operable to generate challenges ( 235 ) to the add-on devices ( 20 a ) wherein the challenges include watermarks embedded therein. The response engine ( 30 ) is operable to receive corresponding responses sent from the add-on devices ( 20 a ) in response to the challenges ( 235 ). Moreover, the response engine ( 30 ) is further operable to analyze the corresponding responses to determine whether or not the add-on devices ( 20 a ) are able to extract the watermarks correctly from the challenges ( 235 ) in generating the corresponding responses. The system ( 10 ) is thereby selectively capable of accepting the new devices ( 20 a ) to the system ( 10 ), thereby preventing counterfeit or copy products being used with the system ( 10 ).

1 . A method of interfacing to an add-on device or a story in an interactive play-toy environment, wherein the interactive comprises a response engine, said method comprising steps of:
 (a) introducing the add-on device or the story to the response engine such that the add-on device or the story is operable to notify its presence to the response engine;   (b) generating a challenge at the response engine and then communicating said challenge to the add-on device or story, wherein said challenge includes one or more watermarks, said one or more watermarks including one or more identifiers to which the add-on device or story is challenged to identify and respond to in a corresponding response from the add-on device or story;   (c) receiving the challenge at the add-on device or story and then processing the challenge at the add-on device or story to generate the corresponding response;   (d) sending the corresponding response from the add-on device or story to the response engine; and   (e) receiving the corresponding response at the response engine and analyzing the response to determine whether or not the add-on device or story is operable to extract said one or more watermarks correctly from the challenge in generating the corresponding response.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in step (e) correct extraction of the one or more watermarks is indicative that the add-on device or story is acceptable to the interactive play-toy environment for subsequent interaction therewith. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the play-toy environment includes a plurality of interacting devices, said method further comprising a step of permitting the add-on device or story to interact with at least one of the response engine and the plurality of devices on acceptance of said add-on device story to the interactive play-toy environment. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the play-toy environment includes a plurality of interacting devices, said method further comprising a step of implementing the response engine in one or more of said plurality of devices. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the challenge is implemented as one or more of: watermarked audio communication, watermarked wireless communication, or watermarked visual communication. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the corresponding response is implemented as one or more Of: watermarked audio communication, watermarked wireless communication, or watermarked visual communication. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , said method comprising a further step of arranging for the response engine to conduct a sequence of interactive events within the play-toy environment to a benefit of a user thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the sequence of interactive events is dynamically adaptable in response to acceptance of the add-on device or story to the play-toy environment. 
   
   
       10 . A system operable to interface an add-on device or a story to an interactive play-toy environment hosted by the system, said system comprising:
 a response engine being operable to receive notification from said add-on device or story indicative of a presence thereof, said response engine further being operable to generate a challenge to the add-on device or story in response to receipt of notification therefrom, said challenge including one or more watermarks embedded therein, said one or more watermarks including one or more identifiers to which the add-on device or story is challenged to identify and respond to in a corresponding response from the add-on device or story,   said response engine further being operable to receive the corresponding response sent from the add-on device or story in response to said challenge,   said response engine further being operable to analyze the corresponding response to determine whether or not said add-on device or story is operable to extract said one or more watermarks correctly from the challenge in generating the corresponding response.   
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the system includes a plurality of devices operable to interact with said response engined. 
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  implemented as an interactive children's toy. 
   
   
       13 . Software executable on computing hardware, said software being operable to implement the method as claimed in  claim 1  within an interactive play-toy environment. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . An add-on device for use in an interactive play-toy system comprising:
 means for producing a signal announcing to the system that the add-on device is present;   means for receiving a water-marked challenge signal from said system, wherein the water-marked challenge signal includes one or more identifiers for the add-on device to respond to;   means for providing a response to the water-marked challenge signal, wherein said response allows the add-on device to be associate with the system.   
   
   
       16 . The add-on device of  claim 15 , wherein the response is one or more of water-marked audio communication, watermarked wireless communication or water-marked visual communication.