System and method for playing a toy with combinatorial attributes

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and the accompanying method for playing a toy with combinatorial attributes. The system includes an interactive surface embedded with a processor and a memory unit, multiple figurines, each embedded with an identifier, and multiple carriers, each embedded with an identifier and designed to carry a figurine inside to form a figurine/carrier combination. The memory unit is configured to store character attributes assigned to each of the figurines and each of the carriers, combinatorial attributes of the figurine/carrier combination based on the character attributes of the figurine and the carrier forming the figurine/carrier combination, and experience points of the figurine/carrier combination. Once the figurine/carrier combination is placed upon the interactive surface, the processor is configured to recognize the identifiers of the figurine and the carrier and the spatial relationship between the figurine and the carrier, to direct the figurine/carrier combination to perform in accordance with the combinatorial attributes and the experience points of the figurine/carrier combination, and to further update the experience points of the figurine/carrier combination.

1 . A toy with combinatorial character attributes, comprising:
 an interactive surface embedded with a processor and a memory unit;   a plurality of figurines, each embedded with an identifier;   a plurality of carriers, each embedded with an identifier and designed to carry a figurine inside to form a figurine/carrier combination;   wherein the memory unit is configured to store character attributes assigned to each of the figurines and each of the carriers, combinatorial attributes of a figurine/carrier combination based on the character attributes of the figurine and the carrier forming the figurine/carrier combination, and experience points of the figurine/carrier combination;   and wherein, upon the figurine/carrier combination being placed upon the interactive surface, the processor is configured to recognize the identifiers of the figurine and the carrier and the spatial relationship between the figurine and the carrier, to direct the figurine/carrier combination to perform in accordance with the combinatorial attributes and the experience points of the figurine/carrier combination, and to further update the experience points of the figurine/carrier combination.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is further embedded with a movement module. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive surface is embedded with an array of RF antennas, and wherein the identifier is an RFID tag. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive surface is embedded with an array of electrodes, and wherein the figurine and the carrier comprise material that capacitively couples with the electrodes. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is further embedded with sensory accessories selected from a group consisting of LED lights and sound modules. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 5 , wherein the carrier is embedded with a microcomputer unit and a wireless communication module. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein the carrier is further embedded with a power source or an RF energy harvesting module. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier further comprises a groove to allow the figurine to be placed inside. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 8 , wherein the edges of the groove have a plurality of gaps and the figurine has protruding areas that can be fitted into the gaps. 
     
     
         10 . A method for playing a toy with combinatorial character attributes, comprising:
 placing a figurine/carrier combination upon an interactive surface, wherein the interactive surface is embedded with a processor and a memory unit, and wherein the figurine/carrier combination is formed with a carrier carrying a figurine inside, and wherein the figurine and the carrier are embedded with an identifier, and wherein the memory unit is configured to store character attributes assigned to the figurine and the carrier, combinatorial attributes of the figurine/carrier combination based on the character attributes of the figurine and the carrier, and experience points of the figurine/carrier combination;   recognizing by the processor the identifiers of the figurine and the carrier and the spatial relationship between the figurine and the carrier;   directing by the processor the figurine/carrier combination to perform in accordance with the combinatorial attributes and the experience points of the figurine/carrier combination;   updating by the processor the experience points of the figurine/carrier combination.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the carrier is further embedded with a movement module. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interactive surface is embedded with an array of RF antennas, and wherein the identifier is an RFID tag. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interactive surface is embedded with an array of electrodes, and wherein the figurine and the carrier comprise material that capacitively couples with the electrodes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the carrier is further embedded with sensory accessories selected from a group consisting of LED lights and sound modules. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the carrier is embedded with a microcomputer unit and a wireless communication module. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the carrier is further embedded with a power source or an RF energy harvesting module. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the carrier further comprises a groove to allow the figurine to be placed inside. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the edges of the groove have a plurality of gaps and the figurine has protruding areas that can be fitted into the gaps.