IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,072,973
Granted Patent B2
US 9,072,973 · App. 13/792,107 · Granted Jul 7, 2015

Interactive play station

Inventor: Brandon Elliott (St. Charles, MO)
Assignee: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
A63F13/12A63F13/00A63H2200/00A63F13/90A63F13/80A63H30/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,072,973
App. No.
13/792,107
Granted
Jul 7, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interactive play station designed to provide for play which utilizes digitally generated content, mechanical or other physical objects, and digital control to simulate a physical environment which physical objects can appear to interact with. In this regard, the play station is a mixed reality or augmented environment that comprises both real and virtual elements.

Claims (23)

1. An interactive play station comprising:

a display, said display including;

a screen for displaying a digitally generated image; and

a read device, said read device being capable of detecting an object positioned in proximity to said display;

a housing for said display; and

a toy;

wherein, when said toy is placed in proximity to said screen, said read device detects the presence of said toy;

wherein, once said toy is detected, said toy is identified as a particular type of toy;

wherein, once said type is identified, said display causes said screen to display digital content interactive with said toy; and

wherein said housing is designed to resemble a shower/bath and said content appears to be a water surface in said bath.

2. The interactive play station of claim 1 , further comprising an air blower, said air blower appearing to be a shower head.

3. The interactive play station of claim 2 , wherein when said air blower blows air onto said screen, said content changes to show water from said shower head impacting said water surface.

4. An interactive play station comprising:

a housing designed to resemble a bathtub;

a display said display including;

a screen for displaying a digitally generated image; and

a read device, said read device being capable of detecting an object positioned in proximity to said display;

wherein said display is positioned in said housing so that said screen is at a potential water surface in said bathtub;

an air blower designed to resemble a shower head; and

a plush toy incapable of digital communication with said screen;

wherein, when said plush toy is placed on said screen, said read device detects the presence of said plush toy;

wherein, once said plush toy is detected said air blower is activated; and

wherein a combination of said air blown by said air blower and content on said screen, said plush toy appears to be washed.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2020
From: BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.; BUILD-A-BEAR RETAIL MANAGEMENT, INC.; BUILD-A-BEAR ENTERTAINMENT, LLC; BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP FRANCHISE HOLDINGS, INC.; BUILD-A-BEAR CARD SERVICES, LLC; BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP CANADA, LTD.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053613/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2015
From: BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.
To: BUILD-A-BEAR RETAIL MANAGEMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 036221/0712 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2013
From: ELLIOTT, BRANDON
To: BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 029957/0811 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61653945 · May 31, 2012
Related Publication 20130324241A1 · Dec 5, 2013