Print-level sensing for interactive play with a printed image

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus are provided for interactively playing with a printed image. A printed image resembling a game board, book, or picture, is provided. The printed image includes a plurality of feedback areas in which an indicator color is printed of a predetermined wavelength of light. A figurine is provided that includes a light source, a light sensor, and a plurality of outputs is associated with each color of indicator color. The light source and light sensor are placed in proximity to one of the feedback areas in the image. Activation of the figurine causes the light source to illuminate a feedback area and the sensor to determine the wavelength of light of the illuminated feedback area. A controller selects one of the plurality of outputs associated with the indicator color and an output component provides the selected output.

What claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for interactive play with a printed image, the system comprising:
 a printed image having a plurality of feedback areas defined therein, each of the plurality of feedback areas having an indicator color printed therein;   a figurine that is positionable on the printed image at one of the plurality of feedback areas;   a light source disposed in the figurine that reveals the indicator color at the desired location;   a light sensor disposed in the figurine that senses the indicator color revealed by the light source at the desired location; and   an output component that provides a predetermined output associated with the indicator color at the desired location.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller disposed in the figurine that randomly selects one of one or more predetermined outputs associated with the indicator color and provides it to the output component.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source and the light sensor are activated by pressing the figurine onto the printed image. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the printed image is one or more of a game board, a poster, pages in a book, a greeting card, a foldable play mat, a story board, and an instructional image. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the printed image is a plurality of printed images on pages of a book, each of the printed images having a different feedback area. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator color of each feedback area is different and is associated with one or more unique outputs. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output is one or more of an audio output, a visual output, and a tactile output. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the output is an audible reading of a script or story associated with the printed image. 
     
     
         9 . A method for interactive play with a printed image, the method comprising:
 providing a printed image having a plurality of feedback areas, each of the plurality of feedback areas having an indicator color printed therein;   providing a figurine that includes a light source configured to illuminate the indicator color, a sensor configured to sense a wavelength of light reflected from the indicator color, and a plurality of predetermined outputs associated with each wavelength of light of each indicator color;   sensing, by the sensor in the figurine, a first indicator color printed in a first feedback area of the plurality of feedback areas;   determining, by the controller, a first predetermined output of the plurality of predetermined outputs associated with the wavelength of the first indicator color; and   providing the first predetermined output.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 sensing, by the sensor in the figurine, a second indicator color printed in a second feedback area of the plurality of feedback areas;   determining, by the controller, a second predetermined output of the one or more predetermined outputs associated with the wavelength of the second indicator color, wherein the second predetermined output is different than the first predetermined output; and   providing the second predetermined output.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the printed image is a plurality of printed images collected into a book. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first predetermined output produced by the figurine is one or more of an audio output, a visual output, or a tactile output that is associated with the printed image. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first predetermined output is an audio output of sounds and dialogue associated with a character related to the figurine and the book. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for interactive play with a printed image, the apparatus comprising:
 a body configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to a surface having an image printed thereon, the image including a plurality of feedback areas, the plurality of feedback areas each having an indicator color printed therein;   a light source disposed in the body that exposes the surface to light emitted by the light source, the light source being configured to illuminate the surface;   a light sensor disposed in the body that receives light from the light source that is reflected off the surface;   a controller disposed in the body that determines a first output from a plurality of predetermined outputs associated with the indicator colors to be provided upon activating the light source and the light sensor by pressing the body to the surface at a feedback area; and   an output component that provides one of the outputs associated with the indicator colors based on the light received by the light sensor, the output being one or more of an audio output, visual output, and a tactile output.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the body resembles an animal-like or humanoid figure and the light source and light sensor are disposed within a bottom side thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the light source and light sensor are enclosed within a shroud that reduces interference from environmental light. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the surface is one of a plurality of pages in a story book. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the output is an audio output related to the story book comprising one or more of sounds, music, or dialogue. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the light sensor detects the wavelength of light reflected off of the surface of a feedback area, wherein each unique indicator color reflects light of a different wavelength. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein, upon pressing the body to the surface at an area other than a feedback area, the controller determines that an error output is selected and the output component provides an error audio output.