Toy incorporating RFID tag
A playmate toy or similar children's toy is provided having associated wireless, batteryless ID tag that can be read from and/or written to using a radio-frequency communication protocol. The tag is mounted internally within a cavity of the toy and thereby provides wireless communication of stored information without requiring removal and reinsertion of the tag. In this manner, a stuffed animal or other toy can be quickly and easily identified non-invasively, without damaging the toy. Additional information (e.g., unique personality traits, special powers, skill levels, etc.) can also be stored on the ID tag, thus providing further personality enhancement, input/output programming, simulated intelligence and/or interactive gaming possibilities.
1. A toy comprising:
a body having an inner portion; and
a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag located within the inner portion of said body, wherein the RFID tag comprises:
a unique identifier configured to identify said toy;
a processor;
non-volatile programmable memory; and
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver adapted to facilitate two-way communication with one or more RFID reader devices of a game control system,
wherein the RF transceiver is configured to transmit data to the one or more RFID reader devices, and
wherein the data comprises information to be used in a game, wherein the information is selected from the following: i) a first selection of information comprising one or more powers associated with said toy, and ii) a second selection of information comprising points or levels reached.
2. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag.
3. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag is disposed on a support structure.
4. The toy of claim 3 , wherein the support structure comprises a plastic sheet substrate.
5. The toy of claim 1 , wherein an outer portion of the body comprises a fabric material and wherein the inner portion comprises a stuffing material.
6. The toy of claim 5 , wherein the body comprises a form representing an animal.
7. The toy of claim 1 , wherein an outer portion of the body comprises a plastic material.
8. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a form representing an action figure.
9. The toy of claim 1 , wherein the inner portion comprises a cavity.
10. A toy comprising:
a body in the form of an animal or an action figure;
a transponder affixed to said body and configured to identify said toy, said transponder comprising:
i) non-volatile programmable memory,
ii) a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to facilitate two-way communication with one or more RFID reader devices,
iii) a processor, and
iv) an antenna configured to receive energy through inductive coupling with an externally applied electromagnetic field to thereby power at least said processor and said RF transceiver;
wherein the RF transceiver is configured to transmit data to the one or more RFID reader devices, and
wherein the data comprises information to be used in a game, the information comprising one or more of the following: i) in-game abilities associated with the toy, and ii) in-game points or levels reached.
11. The toy of claim 10 , wherein the transponder comprises a passive RFID tag.
12. The toy of claim 10 , wherein the transponder is disposed on a support structure within said body.
13. The toy of claim 12 , wherein the support structure comprises a plastic sheet substrate.
14. The toy of claim 10 , wherein an outer portion of the body comprises fabric material and wherein an inner portion of the body comprises stuffing.
15. The toy of claim 10 , wherein the transponder is affixed to said body by an adhesive.
16. The toy of claim 10 , wherein the body comprises a plastic material, and wherein the body comprises an internal cavity.
17. The toy of claim 16 , wherein the transponder is disposed within said internal cavity.
18. A toy comprising:
a body embodying a character or personality;
a transponder contained within said body and configured to identify said toy, said transponder comprising:
i) non-volatile programmable memory,
ii) a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver chip configured to facilitate two-way communication with one or more RFID reader/writer devices,
iii) a processor, and
iv) an antenna configured to receive energy through inductive coupling with an externally applied electromagnetic field to thereby power at least said processor and said RF transmitter/receiver chip,
wherein the RF transmitter/receiver chip is configured to transmit data to the one or more RFID reader/writer devices, and
wherein the data comprises information to be used in a game, the information comprising one or more of the following: i) in-game abilities associated with the toy, and ii) a personalized name of said toy.
19. The toy of claim 18 , wherein the non-volatile programmable memory is pre-programmed with a unique identifier.
20. The toy of claim 18 , wherein the transponder comprises a passive RF identification device tag.