SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECTING A SMALL SCALE OBJECT TO GENERATE A SENSORY OUTPUT TO A USER POWERED BY RF ENERGY HARVESTING

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for directing an object generating a sensory output to a user through wireless means. The object does not have an embedded battery but derives power from radio frequency electromagnetic wave energy through the use of an RF energy harvesting module. Once selectively activated, the object provides an output to its user. Such output can be utilized in a variety of entertaining, useful or productive means.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the entry into US national phase from the International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/086745, filed on Sep. 17, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/085668, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Targeted Object on an Interactive Surface to Produce a Response”, filed on Sep. 1, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/084498, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Moving Object on an Interactive Surface”, filed on Aug. 15, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/079891, entitled “System and Method for Operating a Computer Program with Physical Objects”, filed on Jun. 13, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/072961, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object's ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Board”, filed on Mar. 6, 2014, which is a continuation in part to International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/071850, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object's ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Board”, filed on Jan. 30, 2014. This application is also a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/080495, entitled “System and Method to Recognize an Object's ID, Orientation and Location Relative to an Interactive Surface”, filed on Jun. 23, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/079892, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object's ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Surface”, filed on Jun. 13, 2014.

The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for directing an object that has no battery generating a sensory output to a user, with the interactivity of the object powered by an RF-DC energy conversion module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The abundance of inexpensive and increasingly miniaturized computer processors has greatly influenced recreational and educational games allowing for a high level of interactivity between the user and devices.

Typically, computerized games provide players with a visual display of the game activity through an electronic display system such as a pixilated flat panel display or touch screens. However, such displays lack a three-dimensional nature that prevents the physical interaction inherent in toys and the like. For instance, the traditional toy blocks may use one or more movable game piece that players (especially young ones) find more “natural” and easier to interact with during their play or learning experience. On the other hand, traditional tools and toys often lack audio, visual or other forms of sophisticated feedback that computerized programs and game play can offer to users and players. Therefore, a method that can combine both computerized technology and physical objects can effectively enhance a user's experience by allowing their physical actions to be interpreted by a computer system so as to provide real-time feedback to the user in the form of a multitude of sensorial accessories such as video and/or audio outputs.

The present invention provides a system and method for directing multiple small scale physical objects such as cards, blocks or miniature figurines that can interact with a user through various feedback mediums such as LED lighting, speakers, vibrators, or display devices that are operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt. The objects further power their circuitry through RF to DC energy conversion technology.

In effect, the present invention provides a system and method for directing one or more objects that can effectively enhance traditional tools and playing objects such as cards and blocks by adding an interactive dimension to them. This also allows objects to be wirelessly connected to computer systems which, in turn, can be connected to the internet/servers, thus adding another level of interactivity between the objects and the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for directing an object that has no battery to generate a sensory output to a user through wireless means. The object does not have an embedded battery but derives power from radio frequency electromagnetic wave energy through the use of an RF energy harvesting module. Once selectively activated, the object provides an output to its user. Such output can be utilized in a variety of entertaining, useful or productive means.

The system includes a plurality of objects and a processor that is configured to send an instruction to objects. A computer program is further operatively linked to the processor and is configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific object having a specific UID.

The object further includes an RFID tag containing a first RF antenna and an RFID chip containing a microcontroller, a writable data storage means and an unique identification code (UID) of the object, a micro computer unit (MCU) connected to the microcontroller, a miniature sensory device connected to the MCU, a second RF antenna, and an RF energy harvesting module that is connected to the second RF antenna and provides electric power to the MCU and the sensory device.

Upon receiving an instruction by the first antenna, and upon electric power being provided to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module, the microcontroller of the RFID tag is configured to activate the MCU of the object if the aforementioned object's UID matches the targeted UID embedded in an instruction, and the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device producing a sensory output to a user according to the instruction.

This invention is useful in a variety of fields that require a sensory feedback to an end-user, including education, entertainment and increasing productivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following description includes discussion of figures having illustrations given by way of example of implementations of embodiments of the invention. The drawings should be understood by way of example, not by way of limitation. As used herein, references to one or more “embodiments” are to be understood as describing a particular feature, structure, or characteristic included in at least one implementation of the invention. Thus, phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “in an alternate embodiment” appearing herein describe various embodiments and implementations of the invention, and do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. However, they are also not necessarily mutually exclusive.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of the system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of the object in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the process flow for the system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating cards used in conjunction with a computer system in order to play a word spelling game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating cards used in conjunction with an interactive surface capable of detecting the UID and location of cards placed upon its surface in order for a player to compose music in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating interactive parts used in a miniature train set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention will be described using specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. People skilled in the art will recognize that the system and method of the present invention may be used in many other applications.

For example, although the notion of “card” is repeatedly used throughout this document to describe the design of the object, it is understood that this in no way is a restriction of the invention and its accompanying claims. In fact the present invention can easily use other designs such as game figurines, blocks, plush toys and the like. Furthermore, although the embodiments described within this document make repeated use of LED lights as the sensory device for the objects, it is understood that any low energy consumption output device such as vibrational, screens or acoustic devices embedded in the objects are all considered within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objectives and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention discloses a system for directing a small-scale object wherein an output device embedded in the object can be selectively activated through wireless means. The system includes a plurality of objects and a processor that is configured to send an instruction to objects. A computer program is further operatively linked to the processor and is configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific object having a specific UID. The object does not have an embedded battery but derives power from radio frequency electromagnetic wave energy through the use of an RF energy harvesting module. Once selectively activated, an object provides an output to its user. Such output can be utilized in a variety of entertaining, useful or productive means.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of the system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the overall system of the present invention includes a plurality of objects 105 and a processor 101 that is configured to send an instruction to an object 105. A computer program is further operatively linked to the processor 101 and is configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific object 105 having a specific UID to direct the sensory device 104 of an object 105 through wireless means. The computer program can be run either locally (local computer programming 102) or from a cloud server (cloud computer program 103). Once activated, the sensory device 104 of the object 105 provides feedback to the user 107 in real-time. The object 105 is powered on by the processor 101 through its second RF antenna 106 and receives RF data transmitted by the processor 101 through its first RF antenna 107. The manner in which the object 105 harvests RF energy and processes received RF data is through an electronic module 108 whose components are further described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the basic components of the object in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The object includes a game figurine 201 with an electronic module 202 embedded inside. The electronic module 202 includes an RFID tag 203 containing a first RF antenna 204 and an RFID chip 205 containing a microcontroller 211, the object's UID as well as a writable data storage device 212. The electronic module 202 further includes a second RF antenna 206, an RF energy harvesting module 207, a micro computer unit (MCU) 209, and a miniature sensory device 210. The RF energy harvesting module 207 is operatively linked to the second RF antenna 206. The MCU 209 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 211, the RF energy harvesting module 207 and the sensory device 210. The sensory device 210 of the object 201 described in FIG. 2 includes an LED light.

The object 201 described in FIG. 2 is used in combination with a processor that is configured to send an instruction to the first RF antenna of the object 201 via wireless means. A computer program is further operatively linked to the processor and is configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific object having a specific UID. A central RF antenna is further operatively linked to the processor, and once an object 201 is placed within the broadcasting range of the central RF antenna, its sensory device 210 can be directed to produce a sensory output to a user according to the instruction sent from the processor.

Upon the aforementioned object 201 receiving an instruction in the form of RF transmission sent by the processor and targeted at the UID of the RFID tag 203, and upon electric power being provided to the MCU 209 and the sensory device 210 by the RF energy harvesting module 207, the microcontroller 211 is configured to activate the MCU 209 of the object 201, and the MCU 209 is configured to direct the sensory device 210 producing a sensory output to a user according to the instruction.

The RF energy harvesting module 207 converts RF energy captured by second RF antenna 206 into DC power, and provides power to the MCU 209 and the sensory devices 210. It eliminates the need for a separate power source for the object 201. The RF energy harvesting module 207 can harvest ambient RF energy, or RF energy from a dedicated source, such as the Central RF Antenna. The RF energy harvesting module 207 contains RF-to-DC conversion circuits for converting the RF energy to DC power, and power conditioning circuits that ensures the outputted power meets the power requirement of the MCU 209 and the sensory device 210.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the process flow for the system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

It is noted that the process flow described in FIG. 3 is used for exemplary purposes and those skilled in the art will recognize that other processes are also defined within the scope of the present invention. For the system as illustrated in FIG. 1, its process flow includes the following steps:

Step 301: generating an instruction comprising a target UID by a computer program operatively linked to a processor configured to send the instruction to the first RF antenna of the object.

Step 302: receiving the instruction comprising the target UID by the first antenna through RF communication between the central RF antenna and the first RF antenna.

Step 303: harvesting RF energy by the second RF antenna.

The RF energy can be emitted from the central RF antenna.

Step 304: converting the RF energy into electric power by the RF energy harvesting module.

Step 305: providing electric power to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module.

Step 306: activating the MCU by the RFID tag if the target UID matches with the UID of the object.

The RFID tag further includes a microcontroller for activating the MCU, and a writable data storage device for storing the UID of the object and the instruction. If the two UIDs do not match, the instruction is ignored by the microcontroller.

Step 307: directing the sensory device by the MCU to generate a sensory output in accordance with the instruction.

Upon receiving the instruction by the first antenna, and upon electric power being provided to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module, the microcontroller of the RFID tag is configured to activate the MCU, and the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to produce a sensory output to a user according to the instruction. The sensory device is operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt, and may be a visual device, an audio device, a vibrator, or a display device.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating cards used in conjunction with a computer system in order to play a word spelling game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment describe in FIG. 4 the objects include cards 401 used in conjunction with a central device 402. The central device includes a processor 403 embedded into it which is operatively linked to a central RF antenna 404 and an audio system 405. The computer program operatively linked to the processor 403 is further configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific card 401 having a specific UID. The central RF antenna 404 has a clearly defined broadcasting area 406 (depicted by the dotted circle in FIG. 4) in which any card 401 placed within this area 406 can be powered on and have its LED lights switched on or off.

Each card 401 of the embodiment described in FIG. 4 has a letter of the alphabet imprinted on it and an electronic module 407 embedded within it. The electronic module 407 includes an RFID tag 408 containing a first RF antenna 409 and an RFID chip 410 containing a microcontroller 417, the object's UID as well as a writable data storage device 418. The electronic module further includes a second RF antenna 411, an RF energy harvesting module 412, a micro computer unit (MCU) 416 and two LED lights (one green 414, one red 415). The RF energy harvesting module 412 is operatively connected to the second RF antenna 411. The MCU 416 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 417, RF energy harvesting module 412 and the two LED lights 414, 415.

The method of the embodiment described in FIG. 4 is the following. The processor 403 is configured to broadcast to the player audio recordings relating to spelling questions. Such recordings may include the question “do you know how to spell bed?” These questions prompt the player to place the cards 401 that they believe consist of the correct answer within the broadcasting area 406 of the central RF antenna 404. After a time limit, the processor 403 is configured to instruct the central RF antenna 404 to send an RF signal to any cards 401 within the central RF antenna's 404 broadcasting range 406. The RF signal in question contains RF data regarding both the UID of the cards 401 that the computer program is targeting and the command instruction directed at the card(s)'s 401 LED lights 414, 415. Moreover, the RF signal transmitted by the central RF antenna 404 also has enough RF energy to power the card(s)'s 401 electronic circuitry. Once transmitted, the RF signal is received by the second RF antenna 411 of the card(s) 401 placed within the broadcasting area 406. Afterwards, the RF signal is converted to electric power, which is provided to the MCU 416 and LED lights 414, 415 by the card(s)'s 401 RF energy harvesting module 412. Simultaneously, the card(s) 401 receives and deciphers the data contained within the same RF signal via the first RF antenna 409 and the microcontroller 417. The RF signal transmitted by the central RF antenna 404 contains both information about the UID of the card(s) 401 that the processor 403 is targeting and the output instructions affiliated to that particular UID. Within the confines of the present embodiment, all UIDs are targeted but with two distinct output command instructions. These being to switch either LED lights 414, 415 depends on whether the card(s) 401 placed by the player are the correct or incorrect combination of letters for the spelling question at hand. Thus, the microcontroller 417 will record the corresponding output command instruction for their card 401 within its writable data storage device 418. Once the MCU 416 of the card(s) 401 has been powered up, it will proceed to send the output command instruction to the LED lights 414, 415. Again, this command will be dependent on whether the card is correct (causing to light up the green LED light 414) or incorrect (causing to light up the red LED light 415). In such a way, the player is provided with real-time visual feedback as to whether they have made a correct card selection.

Looking at the four cards 401 placed within the broadcasting area 406 of the central RF antenna 404 in FIG. 4, one can see how the aforementioned game will pan out. In this scenario, we can assume the spelling question is “Do you know how to spell the word bed?”, and the player places not only the three correct cards (i.e., the letters b, e, and d) 401 but has also a wrong one (i.e., the letter s). The feedback provided to the player will be having the correct three cards' green LED lights 414 lighting up, and the incorrect card's red LED light 415 lighting up.

There is a multitude of design alternatives for the embodiment described in FIG. 4, but one design worth mentioning is to have LED lights embedded in the cards to light up in sequence. This design is particularly useful in helping the user understand the order of the letters relative to one another. Referring back to the scenario in FIG. 4 with the audio broadcasting the question “Do you know how to spell the word bed?”, the computer program is configured to instruct the processor 403 to send separate RF signals to instruct the three cards (e.g., the letters b, e and d) to light up their LED at differing time intervals and in an appropriate sequence. In this manner, the card 401 with the letter “b” imprinted upon it will light up first, which can be accompanied by an audio rendering of the letter's pronunciation; the card with the letter “e” will light up next, and finally the card with the letter “d” will light up. In such a manner, the user is provided with a visual aid in understanding the correct order of the letters within a word.

The embodiment described above includes an interactive game for young children playing freely with letter cards within a designated area. There are clear educational merits to such a game as it allows children to experiment with letter combinations and learn spelling in a fun and non-restrictive play environment. Furthermore, any language can potentially be chosen for this string-of-letters/word association game.

Although the abovementioned embodiments make use of language-related symbols, it is understood that there are a large number of other options that can be implemented within the premise of the present embodiment. For example, virtually all existing languages, both alphabet-based and non alphabet-based, can be used for the components of the design of the cards. Another potential alternative embodiment involves mathematics games which uses Arabic numerals (or other such as Chinese or Latin numerals) as the symbols printed on the surface of cards. Other card designs involve pictures instead of symbols. The pictures often used on flash cards such as animals, careers, vehicles or the like are all potentially viable options and considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating cards used in conjunction with an interactive surface capable of detecting the UID and location of cards placed upon its surface in order for a player to compose music in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, cards 501 with music-related symbols imprinted upon them are placed upon an interactive surface 502 in order to create a melody. The interactive surface 502 is operatively linked to a processor 503. The interactive surface 502 also includes one or more sensors that are also operatively linked to the processor 503 and which are capable of detecting the UID and location of cards 501 placed on top of the interactive surface 502. The interactive surface 502 further includes a central RF antenna 504 and an audio system 505 that are operatively linked to the processor 503. The interactive surface 502 in FIG. 5 also has a number of functional buttons in order for the player to interact with. These buttons include the play button 506, the replay button 507 and the pause button 508.

The music cards 501 each has an electronic module 509 embedded into them. The electronic module 509 includes an RFID tag 510 containing a first RF antenna 511 and an RFID chip 512 containing a microcontroller 518, the card's UID and a writable data storage device 519. The electronic module 509 further contains a second RF antenna 513, an RF energy harvesting module 514, a micro computer unit (MCU) 517 and one LED light 516. The RF energy harvesting module 514 is operatively connected to the second RF antenna 513. The MCU 517 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 518, the RF energy harvesting module 514 and the LED light 516.

The method for the embodiment described in FIG. 5 is the following. As a player selects and places music cards 501 upon the interactive surface 502 within the designated areas (i.e., on top of the music chord lines), the sensor system of the interactive surface 502 detects the location and UID of each card 501 and transmits this data to the processor 503 for processing. The computer program operatively linked to the processor 503 determines the string of music notes (by matching the UID of the cards 501 with their accompanying music symbol) and deduces in real-time the music melody that the player is creating. Finally, once a player is satisfied with the pattern of music cards 501 that he/she has created they can press the play button 506 in order to have the processor 503 play the melody back to the player via the audio system 505.

Similarly to the previous embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the computer program connected to the processor 503 is able to direct each music cards' 501 LED light 516. Whenever the player chooses to play their melody the computer program is configured to direct the LED lights 516 of each music card sequentially lighting up according to when a music note is being played. In such a manner the player can recognize which music symbol matches which sound through direct visual feedback (e.g., LED lights).

In order for the computer program linked to the processor 503 to direct card 501 to light up its LED lights 516, the following process is applied. Firstly, once the player chooses to play the melody they have created, they must press the play button 506 or the replay button 507. The processor 503 plays the melody according to the type of music cards 501 and their relative location on the music chord lines. As each note is being played, the computer program is configured to instruct the central RF antenna 504 to send an RF signal to the targeted music card 501. As with the embodiment in FIG. 4, the RF signal contains RF data containing both the UID of the targeted card 501 as well as the output command instruction directed at the music card(s)'s 501 LED light 516. Moreover, the RF signal transmitted by the central RF antenna 504 also has enough RF energy to power on the music card(s)'s 501 electronic module 509. Once transmitted, the RF signal is received by the second RF antenna 513 of all music cards 501 placed within the broadcasting area of the central RF antenna 504. Afterwards, the RF signal is converted to electric power by the RF energy harvesting modules 514, which provides power to the MCU 517 and LED light of the card 501 whose UID matches that of the received RF signal's UID information (see below). At the same time, the music cards 501 will receive and decipher the data contained in the same RF signal via their first RF antenna 511 and the microcontroller 518. Similarly, the RF signal transmitted also contains the UID of the card 501 the computer program is targeting as well as the output command instructions affiliated to that UID. In the present embodiment, only one UID (and therefore only one music card 501) is targeted at a time, and the output instruction is to light up the targeted music card's 501 LED light 516. If the music card 501 does not match its UID (contained in the microcontroller 518) with the UID data contained in the RF signal, the card 501 will go into an idle mode awaiting the computer system's next RF signal. If the music card 501 does indeed match the RF signal UID with its own UID, the microcontroller 518 will record the corresponding output command instruction within its writable data storage device 519 and activate the MCU 517. Upon activation, the MCU 517 will proceed to process the output command instruction, which in this case is to light up the LED light 516 for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., the duration of the music note in question). In such a way, the player is provided with the real-time visual feedback as to what music note is being played.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating interactive parts used in a miniature train set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the objects include interactive parts of a miniature train set environment 601 used in conjunctions with a processor connected to a central RF antenna. The interactive parts are a part of the miniature train set environment and are directed to independently activating their output devices (e.g., green, red or orange lights for the miniature traffic lights dotted across the landscape) by the processor in accordance with a specific computer program (e.g., the timing of the traffic lights or the time building/street lighting is switched on in order to recreate the time of day). These interactive parts may take many forms and designs such as miniature traffic lights 602, miniature street lights 603, miniature building lighting 604, miniature billboards 605 and miniature train signals 606. The computer system's RF antenna broadcasting range encapsulates the whole area of the miniature train set environment 601 which allows for any interactive part 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 placed within this range to be directed by the computer program linked to the processor. Each interactive part 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 is equipped with the same electronic module 607 described for the objects of the previous embodiments but, depending on the part, the output devices may include one or more LED lights or acoustic device (e.g., a beeping device).

Each individual interactive part contained in the embodiment described in FIG. 6 can be independently directed to activate their output devices wirelessly by the processor in accordance to the specific computer program. There are a number of potential designs for the interactive parts and the accompanying computer program but, for the sake of simplicity, this document will specifically explain how the miniature train signals 606 operate.

Each miniature train signal 606 has an electronic module 607 embedded into it. The electronic module 607 includes an RFID tag 608 containing a first RF antenna 609 and an RFID chip 610 containing a microcontroller 618, the train signal's 606 UID and a writable data storage device 619. The electronic module 607 further includes a second RF antenna 611, an RF energy harvesting module 612, two LED lights (one red 614 and one green 615), a beeping device 616 and a micro computer unit (MCU) 617. The RF energy harvesting module 612 is operatively connected to the second RF antenna 611. The MCU 617 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 618, the RF energy harvesting module 612, the two LED lights 614, 615, and the beeping device 616.

The method for the miniature train signals 606 illustrated in the embodiment described in FIG. 6 is the following. The computer program linked to the processor is configured to track the relative progression of the miniature trains along the track. Whenever a train approaches a train signal 606, the computer program determines whether the train signal should either be red (thus stopping the train on its tracks) or green (allowing the train to proceed), and the processor is configured to direct the train signal 606 flashing either LED lights 614, 615. Moreover, as the train signal is about to turn from green to red, the train signal 506 is directed to start making a beeping sound via its beeping device 616 (thus mimicking the sound that a real train signal makes).

Similar to the previous embodiments the manner in which the train signal 606 is directed by the processor is as follows. According to user defined rules (e.g., the timing and/or proximity of trains approaching the train signal) the processor is configured to send an RF signal to the train signal 606 by targeting its specific UID. Although this RF signal is received by all the interactive parts within the central RF antenna's broadcasting area, since only one UID is contained within the RF signal, all other interactive parts disregard this signal and go back into a sleep mode. Once the targeted train signal's 606 electronic module 607 is powered on and receives and processes the RF data, the LED lights and beeping device are switched on or off according to the instructions sent by the computer program.

This embodiment allows for the interactive parts being powered on and directed without the use of cumbersome and costly wiring that is currently the norm for these kinds of miniature sets.

Claims

1. A system for directing an object comprising no battery to generate a sensory output to a user, comprising:

an object comprising an RFID tag comprising a first RF antenna and an unique identification code (UID) of the object, a micro-computer unit (MCU), a sensory device connected to the MCU, a second RF antenna, an RF energy harvesting module connected to the second RF antenna;

a processor configured to send an instruction embedded with a target UID to the first RF antenna of the object via wireless means;

wherein the RF energy harvesting module is configured to provide electric power to the MCU and the sensory device; and

upon the first RF antenna receiving the instruction embedded with the target UID, the RFID tag is configured to active the MCU if the target UID matches the UID of the object, and upon being activated, the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output in accordance with the instruction.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a central RF antenna operatively linked to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to send the instruction to the first antenna of the object through RF communication between the central RF antenna and the first RF antenna.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensory device is operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt, and is selected from a group consisting of a visual device, an audio device, a vibrator, and a display device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is selected from a group consisting of a chip, a button, a token, a tag, a label, a card, a figurine, and a block.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to send the instruction to the object from a remote location.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output at a predetermined time according to the instruction.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output based on a logical sequence according to the instruction.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to generate a sensory output when the object is at a predetermined location according to the instruction.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is operatively linked to a computer program configured to generate the instruction embedded with the target UID.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a microcontroller for activating the MCU, and a writable data storage device for storing the UID of the object and the instruction.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the RF energy harvesting module is configured to harvest RF energy emitted from the central RF antenna.

12. A method for directing an object comprising no battery to generate a sensory output to a user, the object comprising an RFID tag comprising a first RF antenna and an unique identification code (UID) of the object, a micro-computer unit (MCU), a sensory device connected to the MCU, a second RF antenna, an RF energy harvesting module connected to the second RF antenna, the method comprising:

generating an instruction comprising a target UID;

receiving the instruction by the first antenna;

harvesting RF energy by the second RF antenna;

converting the RF energy into electric power by the RF energy harvesting module;

providing electric power to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module;

if the target UID matches with the UID of the object, the RFID tag activating the MCU; and

the MCU directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output in accordance with the instruction.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending the instruction to the first antenna of the object through RF communication between the first RF antenna and a central RF antenna operatively linked to a processor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensory device is operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt, and is selected from a group consisting of a visual device, an audio device, a vibrator, and a display device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the object is selected from a group consisting of a chip, a button, a token, a tag, a label, a card, a figurine, and a block.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending the instruction to the object from a remote location.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output at a predetermined time according to the instruction.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output based on a logical sequence according to the instruction.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising directing the sensory device to generate a sensory output when the object is at a predetermined location according to the instruction.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating the instruction comprising the target UID by a computer program operatively linked to the processor.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the RFID tag further comprises a microcontroller for activating the MCU, and a writable data storage device for storing the UID of the object and the instruction.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising harvesting RF energy emitted from the central RF antenna by the second antenna.