GAME SYSTEM

Abstract

A game system comprising a data processing system and an identification toy element that includes information associated with the identification toy element; wherein the identification toy element is a toy construction element comprising one or more connectors configured for mechanically connecting one or more other toy construction elements to the identification toy element so as to allow a user to construct a toy construction model; and wherein the data processing system is configured to: detect a presence of the identification toy element in a detection area; create an association between a virtual object in a virtual environment and the detected identification toy element; access, when the identification toy element is again placed within a detection area, the information associated with the identification toy element; obtain, based on the accessed information, information about the virtual object associated with the identification toy element; present a representation of the associated virtual object; and to perform a play pattern procedure including controlling the representation of the virtual object.

Claims

1. A game system comprising: a data processing system and an identification element that includes information associated with the identification element; wherein the data processing system is configured to: detect a presence of the identification element within a detection area; create an association between a virtual object in a virtual environment and the detected identification element; access, when the identification element is again placed within a detection area, the information associated with the identification element; present a representation of the associated virtual object based on the accessed information; and perform a play pattern procedure including controlling the representation of the virtual object.

2. A game system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing system is configured, responsive to a game event, to replace an existing association between the identification element and a virtual object with a new association between a new virtual object and the identification element such that the data processing system presents a representation of said new virtual object and performs a play pattern procedure including controlling the representation of the new virtual object when the data processing system again detects the presence of the identification element.

3. A game system according to claim 1, wherein the identification element is a toy construction element comprising one or more connectors configured for mechanically connecting one or more other toy construction elements to the identification element so as to allow a user to construct a toy construction model.

4. A game system according to claim 3, wherein the data processing system is configured to, responsive to a game event, replace an existing association with a new association of a new virtual object with the identification element so as to allow a user to construct different toy construction models using the identification element, each toy construction model having a respective virtual object associated with it.

5. A game system according to claim 1, further comprising a scanning device configured to acquire information indicative of the visual appearance of a physical object; wherein the data processing system is configured to create the virtual object with a representation based on the acquired information.

6. A game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system comprises a plurality of toy construction elements and wherein the data processing system is configured to present a graphical representation of the virtual object that resembles a toy construction model constructable from the plurality of toy construction elements.

7. A game system according to claim 1, wherein the information associated with the identification element includes an identifier of the identification element.

8. A game system according claim 1, wherein the identification element comprises a memory for storing the information associated with the identification element.

9. A game system according to claim 8, wherein the memory is a rewritable memory and wherein the memory is configured for storing information about the virtual object.

10. A game system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing system is configured to present building instructions for constructing, from a toy construction elements of the game system, a toy construction model resembling the virtual object.

11. A game system according to claim 1, further comprising a first and a second identification element each including information associated with the respective identification element; wherein the data processing system is configured to unlock/enable one or more new virtual objects responsive at least to detecting the first identification element; wherein the second identification element comprises one or more connectors configured for connecting one or more toy construction elements to the second identification element so as to allow a user to construct a toy construction model; and wherein the data processing system is configured to create an association between one of the unlocked virtual objects and the second identification element responsive at least to detecting the first identification element within a detection area and to detecting the second identification element within a detection area.

12. A game system according to claim 1, further comprising a detection device defining a first detection area and a second detection area, different from the first detection area; wherein the detection device is configured to access information associated with an identification element detected within the first detection area and to transmit information associated with an identification element to an identification element detected within the second detection area for storage of the transmitted information by the identification element.

13. A game system according to claim 1, wherein the identification element is an identification toy element.

14. A game system according to claim 13, wherein the identification element comprises a memory for storing information relating to the game system; wherein the data processing is configured to detect a presence of the identification element within the first detection area and to receive information stored in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the first detection area; wherein the first detection area is a read-only detection area; and wherein the data processing system is configured to store data in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the second detection area.

15. A game system comprising a data processing system and an identification element, the identification element comprising a memory for storing information relating to the game system; wherein the data processing system comprises a detection device defining a first detection area; wherein the data processing is configured to detect a presence of the identification element within the first detection area and to receive information stored in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the first detection area; wherein the first detection area is a read-only detection area; and wherein the detection device defines a second detection area, different from the first detection area, wherein the data processing system is configured to store data in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the second detection area.

16. A game system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one or more identification element and the first and second detection areas are shaped and sized such that each detection area is operable to receive each identification element.

17. A game system according to claim 15, wherein the data processing system is configured to send information to an identification element for storage only when said identification element is positioned within the second detection area and when another identification element is detected within the first detection area.

18. A game system according to claim 15, wherein the data processing system is configured, responsive to detecting an identification element within the second detection area, to selectively operate the second detection area in a read-only or in a write-only mode and to maintain the selected mode until the identification element is again removed from the second detection area.

19. A game system according to claim 18, wherein the data processing system is configured, responsive to detecting the identification element within the second detection area, to either select a read-only or a write only mode responsive to one or more of the following: a user input, a game event, a detection of an identification element within the first detection area, a detection of a predetermined category of identifications elements within the first detection area.

20. A detection device for detecting the presence of an identification element within a detection area of the reader, the detection device defining at least a first and a second detection area each configured to receive at least one identification element and the detection device being configured to detect which detection area an identification element is positioned in; wherein the detection device comprises at least one sensor for detecting a presence of an identification element; wherein the second detection area is shaped and sized to receive a single identification element of a predetermined type; and wherein the first detection area is shaped and sized to receive two or more of said identification elements.

21. A detection device according to claim 20, further comprising a third detection area shaped and sized to receive two or more of said identification elements.

22. A game system according to claim 12 wherein the detection device comprises at least a first and a second detection area each configured to receive at least one identification element and the detection device being configured to detect which detection area an identification element is positioned in; wherein the detection device comprises at least one sensor for detecting a presence of an identification element; wherein the second detection area is shaped and sized to receive a single identification element of a predetermined type; and wherein the first detection area is shaped and sized to receive two or more of said identification elements.

23. A method for operating a game system, the game system comprising a data processing system and an identification element comprising information relating the game system, wherein the data processing system comprises a detection device defining a first detection area; and wherein the method comprises: detecting a presence of the identification element within the first or the second detection area; responsive to the detected presence identifying a particular one of the detection areas as a detection area in which the identification element is positioned; and causing operation of one or more functions by the data processing system responsive at least to the identified detection area.

24. A method for operating a game system, the game system comprising a data processing system and an identification toy element that includes information associated with the identification toy element; wherein the method comprises: attaching one or more toy construction elements to the identification toy element and positioning the identification toy element within a detection area of the game system; detecting, by the data processing system, the presence of the identification toy element in the detection area; creating, by the data processing system, an association between a virtual object in a virtual environment and the detected identification toy element; placing the identification toy element again within a detection area of the data processing system, detecting, by the data processing system, the presence of the identification toy element in the detection area; accessing, by the data processing system, the information associated with the identification toy element; presenting, by the data processing system and based on the accessed information, a representation of the associated virtual object.

25. A computer program product comprising program code means adapted to cause, when executed on a data processing system of a game system as defined in claim 1, said data processing system to: detect the presence of an identification toy element in a detection area; create an association between a virtual object in a virtual environment and the detected identification toy element; detect the presence of the identification toy element in the detection area when the identification toy element is again placed within a detection area of the data processing system; access the information associated with the identification toy element; presenting, by the data processing system and based on the accessed information, a representation of the associated virtual object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] FIGS. 1-3 each show a prior art toy construction element.

[0084] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate examples of a toy construction system.

[0085] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a use scenario of a game system as described herein.

[0086] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a toy construction system.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows schematic views of a reader for detecting identification elements and for reading and writing information from/to detected identification elements. In particular, FIG. 8A shows a top view of the reader while FIG. 8B shows a cross sectional view of the reader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] Various aspects and embodiments of game systems, detection devices and toy construction systems disclosed herein will now be described with reference to toy construction elements in the form of bricks, e.g. of the type shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. However, the various aspects disclosed herein may be applied to other forms of data processing systems and/or game systems and/or construction elements for use in toy construction sets.

[0089] In FIG. 1 is shown a toy construction element with coupling studs on its top surface and a cavity extending into the brick from the bottom. The cavity has a central tube, and coupling studs on another brick can be received in the cavity in a frictional engagement as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282. FIGS. 2 and 3 show other such prior art construction elements. The construction elements shown in the remaining figures have this known type of connectors in the form of cooperating studs and cavities. However, other types of connectors may also be used in addition to or instead of the studs and cavities. The coupling studs are arranged in a square planar grid, i.e. defining orthogonal directions along which sequences of coupling studs are arranged. The distance between neighbouring coupling studs is uniform and equal in both directions. This or similar arrangements of connectors at coupling locations defining a regular planar grid allow the toy construction elements to be interconnected in a discrete number of positions and orientations relative two each other, in particular at right angles with respect to each other.

[0090] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a game system. The system comprises a computer 401, an input device 402 connected to the computer, a display 403 connected to the computer, a reader 404 connected to the computer, a number of identification toy elements 407, 408, and a number of toy construction elements 409, 410.

[0091] The computer 401 may be a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer such as a tablet computer, a smartphone or the like, a game console, a handheld entertainment device, or any other suitably programmable computer. The computer 401 comprises a processor 411 such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and one or more storage devices 412 such as a memory, a hard disk, and/or the like.

[0092] The display 403 is operatively coupled to the computer 401 and the computer 401 is configured to present a graphical representation of a virtual environment on the display 403. Though illustrated as separate components in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the display may be integrated in the housing of the computer.

[0093] The input device 402 is operatively coupled to the computer 401 and is configured to receive user inputs. For example, the input device may comprise a keyboard, a mouse, or other pointing device, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the system comprises more than one input device. In some embodiments an input device may be integrated in the computer and/or the display, e.g. in the form of a touch screen. It will be appreciated that the system may comprise further peripheral computer devices operatively coupled to, such as integrated into, the computer.

[0094] The reader 404 is operable to detect one or more identification toy elements. To this end, the reader defines two detection areas 405 and 406 respectively, and the reader is operable to detect an identification toy element when positioned in one of the detection areas. The reader comprises one or more RFID circuits 413—e.g. in the form of a processing unit including one or more RFID detection circuits—and corresponding one or more antennas operable to detect an identification toy element placed on one or more of the detection areas. Alternatively, the reader may employ a different detection and data communication technology. In some embodiments the reader may be integrated in the computer and/or the display and/or the input device 402.

[0095] The identification toy elements 407 and 408 have the form of a base plate with connectors 414 on its top surface. The connectors 414 are compatible with the known construction elements described in connection with FIGS. 1-3.

[0096] However, other types of identification elements may be used. The game system further comprises one or more toy construction elements 409 and 410, e.g. of the type described in connection with FIGS. 1-3. While FIG. 4 shows two construction elements, it will be appreciated that a game system may include any number of construction elements. One of the construction elements 409 has the shape of a building block as described in connection with FIG. 1, and another construction element 410 has the shape of a human figure. Both construction elements have connectors—in this example cavities—for attachment to the connectors of the identification toy elements. Both construction elements have additional connectors 415, 417 allowing a user to connect further construction elements so as to construct a toy construction model comprising multiple construction elements. Each of the identification toy elements comprises an RFID circuit 418, 419, respectively, operable to receive and store information. If another detection technology is used, the identification toy element may comprise a corresponding detection circuit or device. In particular, the stored information may identify a virtual object associated with the identification toy construction element. In some embodiments, one or more of the identification toy elements included in a game system may be manufactured with pre-stored information indicative of a predetermined virtual object. Alternatively or additionally, one or more identification toy elements may be manufactured without pre-stored information about any specific virtual object. In some embodiments, the game system may comprise one or more toy identification elements where the pre-stored information is read-only, i.e. where the identification toy element is associated to a fixed virtual object. For example, a game set may comprise one or more read-only identification toy elements and additionally one or more rewritable identification toy elements. The read-only and rewritable identification toy elements may be visually distinguishable from each other; for example, they may have a different size, shape, color, design, etc. The read-only identification toy elements may be associated with virtual characters of the game, while the game system may allow the user to associate the rewritable identification toy elements with inanimate virtual objects.

[0097] The display 403, the reader 404 and the input device 402 may be operationally coupled to the computer in a variety of ways. For example one or more of the above devices may be coupled to the computer via a suitable wired or wireless input interface of the computer 401, e.g. via a serial or parallel port of the computer such as a USB port, via Bluetooth, Wifi or another suitable wireless communications interface. Alternative, one or all of the devices may be integrated into the computer. For example, the computer may comprise an integrated display and/or input device and/or an integrated detection device. In particular, many tablet computers and smartphones comprise an integrated touch screen operable as a display and input device.

[0098] The computer 401 has stored thereon a program, e.g. an App or other software application, adapted to simulate a virtual environment and to create and control virtual objects as described herein.

[0099] It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the computer 401 may be communicatively connected to a host system, e.g. via the Internet or another suitable computer network. At least a part of the processing described herein may then be performed by the host system. For example, in some embodiments, a host system may generate and simulate a virtual environment, such as a virtual world which may be accessible by multiple users from respective client computers. A user may use a client computer executing a suitable program to detect identification toy elements and cause the client or the host system to create a corresponding virtual object. The host system may then add the virtual object to the virtual world and control the virtual object within the virtual world.

[0100] The user may construct respective toy construction models on top of each of the identification toy elements which each have the form of a base plate. In use, when the user places an identification toy element, e.g. with a toy construction model connected to it, on the detection area 405 of the reader, the reader detects the presence of the identification toy element and accesses the information stored in it, if any. The accessed information comprises information about which virtual object the identification toy element is associated with or the accessed information allows the computer to otherwise identify the associated virtual object. Responsive to the detection of the identification toy element in detection area 405, the computer thus creates or otherwise presents a representation of the associated virtual object in a virtual environment. In particular, the computer may create a representation of the associated virtual object on the display and/or allow the user to control or otherwise use or engage the created virtual object in the virtual environment.

[0101] When the user positions an identification toy element, e.g. with a toy construction model connected to it, within the detection area 406 of the reader, the reader detects the presence of the identification toy element and allows the user to store information about a virtual object on the identification toy element. Hence, when the user subsequently positions the identification toy element on the detection area 405, the computer creates or enables the corresponding virtual object as described above. Generally, the detection area 406 may be shaped and/or sized so as to allow a user to only position a single identification toy element on the detection area 406 so as to allow writing to only a single identification toy element at a time. It will be appreciated that detection area 405 may be shaped and sized so as to allow detection of more than one identification toy element at a time. For example, the detection area may be formed as a recess having a size and shape corresponding the shape and size of the identification elements, i.e. such that a single identification element may be placed within the recess. To this end the detection area 406 may be recessed into a top surface of the housing of the detection device. Alternatively or additionally, an elevated rim may be formed around the detection area.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a game system. The system of FIG. 5 is similar to the system of FIG. 4 and comprises a computer 401, an input device 402 connected to the computer, a display 403 connected to the computer, a reader 404 connected to the computer, a number of identification toy elements 407, 408, and a number of toy construction elements 409, 410, all as described in connection with FIG. 4. The system of FIG. 5 differs from the one of FIG. 4 in that the reader comprises three detection areas: A writable detection area 406 as described in connection with FIG. 4 and two read-only detection areas 405a,b each as the detection area 405 of FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that detection areas 405a and 405b may be shaped and sized so as to allow detection of more than one identification element at a time. In the present example, the detection areas 405a and 405b are L-shaped and allow at least three identification elements to be positioned within each of the detection areas 405a and 405b, e.g. one identification element in each leg of the L and a third identification element in the area where the legs meet.

[0103] Generally each of the detection areas may be implemented as read-write areas, as read-only areas or as write-only areas. For example, the provision of two read-only detection areas 405a,b facilitates two-player games or other types of games where two classes of virtual objects are to be distinguished, e.g. objects belonging to two different players, to two different teams, etc. The physical separation of the two detection areas thus provides an easy-to-use mechanism for a user to define members of the two classes of virtual objects by simply placing the corresponding identification toy element on a selected one of the detection areas 405a,b, where each detection area is associated with one of the classes. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may comprise additional detection areas, e.g. to define more than two classes of objects. It will further be appreciated that an identification of which of the detection areas an identification element is placed may be used to trigger other functions of the system that may at least in part depend on which detection area an identification is placed on.

[0104] In some embodiments, detection area 406 is selectively used for reading and writing from/to an identification element, but such that upon placement of an identification element on detection area 406, the processor either only reads data from the identification element or writes data to the identification element. For example, depending on the current state of the game or responsive to user input, the game system may operate the detection area 406 as a read-only detection area similar to the detection areas 405a,b. In other situations, e.g. when the user has selected a special configuration menu, the game system may operate the detection area as a write-only area so as to allow the user to create an association between a virtual object and an identification toy element placed within detection area 406. In another example, the identification element may comprise multiple memory areas and/r have stored thereon multiple types/categories of information. Upon placement of an identification element within detection area 405a or 405b, all memory areas and/or data categories may be read but not altered. Upon placement of an identification element within detection area 406 some memory areas and/or data categories may be read but not altered, while other memory areas may be written to but not read from.

[0105] FIG. 6 illustrates use of an embodiment of a game system, e.g. a game system as in FIG. 4 or similar thereto. In particular, the system of FIG. 6 comprises a computer 401, an input device 402 connected to the computer, a display 403 connected to the computer, a reader 404 connected to the computer, a number of identification toy elements 407, 408, and a number of toy construction elements 409, 410, all as described in connection with FIG. 4. It will be appreciated, however, that the described use may also be performed by the system of FIG. 5.

[0106] In this example one of the identification toy elements 408 has stored thereon information about a virtual character and the game system comprises a physical toy FIG. 410 resembling the virtual character. In an initial step, the user is instructed to assemble the toy FIG. 410 with the identification toy element 408. The computer 401 is configured to execute a video game program which comprises a corresponding virtual character that is controllable by a user via input device 402. When the user positions the identification toy element 408 on the detection area 405 of the reader, the computer detects the identification toy element, identifies the associated virtual character and causes the associated virtual character to appear in the video game. During game play where the user controls the virtual character, a game event may occur that unlocks certain equipment, in this example a tractor, which the virtual character may use during subsequent game play.

[0107] Responsive to the game event, the computer may provide an indication to the user that the user may obtain a virtual tractor (or another virtual object such as other equipment which the virtual character may utilise or otherwise engage in the game play). FIG. 5A shows the game system with the identification toy element 408 and attached toy FIG. 410 positioned within detection area 405 of the reader 404 and with an indication 620 of the unlocked virtual object displayed on display 403. Optionally, the computer may further provide building instructions for instructing the user how to construct a corresponding toy construction model resembling a tractor from the toy construction elements 409. The user may thus construct a toy construction model and attach it to another identification toy element 407 of the game system. When the user places the identification toy element 407 with the newly constructed model on the detection area 406 of the reader 404, the computer stores an identifier and/or other information indicative of the newly unlocked virtual object on the identification toy element 407. In some embodiments, this process may require the identification toy element 408 associated with the original virtual character to still be positioned in the detection area 405. The storing of the identification of the new virtual object on an identification toy element does not require the system to access the currently stored information on the identification toy element; hence detection area 406 may be a write-only area or at least be selectively operated as a write-only area.

[0108] Once the information about the new virtual object is successfully stored on identification toy element 407, the user may remove the identification toy element from the detection area 406. When the user subsequently places the identification toy element 407 on the detection area 405, e.g. together with the identification toy element 408, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the computer 401 controls the video game so as to allow the user to control the virtual character associated with identification toy element 408 and to allow the virtual character to use or otherwise engage a virtual object associated with the identification toy element 407. For example, the virtual character may now be able to drive a virtual tractor. It will be appreciated that subsequently, the user may create and unlock further virtual objects in a manner similar to the one described above, and the virtual character may then use further equipment or other virtual objects. The further virtual objects may be associated with additional identification toy elements or the system may create a new association of the identification toy element 407 with a new virtual object, e.g. a larger tractor or different type of machine. Such new association may then replace the previous association. It will also be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the data processing system may use detection area 406 for reading data from identification elements, e.g. in a manner similar to detection area 405. For example, upon detection of a placement of an identification element within detection area 406, the data processing system may selectively operate the detection area 406 either as a read-only area or as a write-only area until the identification element is again removed from detection area 406. Upon subsequent placement of an identification element, the processing system may again determine/select, e.g. responsive to user input, game events and/or other conditions, whether to operate detection area 406 as a write-only or as a read-only area until the identification element is again removed from the detection area. It will be appreciated that the selective operation of detection area 406 in a read-only or in a write-only mode may also be implemented in an embodiment with more than two detection areas, e.g. in the embodiment described in connection with FIG. 4, 5 or 7.

[0109] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a toy construction system. The system is similar to the system of FIG. 5, comprising a computer 401, an input device 402 connected to the computer, a display 403 connected to the computer, a reader 404 connected to the computer, a number of identification toy elements 407, 408, and a number of toy construction elements 409, 410, all as described in connection with FIG. 5. The system of FIG. 7 further comprises a scanner device 741 connected to the computer and adapted to scan the visual appearance of a physical object, e.g. a toy construction model constructed from toy construction elements and attached or attachable to a toy identification element. The scanning device may comprise a digital camera, a depth camera, a 3D scanner and/or anther suitable form of optical scanning device. The computer is configured to receive the scanning data from the scanning device, create a virtual object based on the received scanning data, e.g. having a visual appearance resembling the scanned physical object. When an identification toy element—e.g. an identification element with the physical object attached to it—is placed on detection area 406, the computer may be configured to associate the created virtual object with the identification element. Hence, when the same identification toy element is again placed on one of the detection areas 405a,b or 406, the computer may cause the associated virtual object with the appearance defined by the scanning data appear in a game or other virtual environment.

[0110] FIG. 8 shows schematic views of a reader for detecting identification elements and for reading and writing information from/to detected identification elements. In particular, FIG. 8A shows a top view of the reader while FIG. 8B shows a cross sectional view along line VI. The reader 404 comprises a processing unit 413, a first antenna A1 and a second antenna A2, and a third antenna A3, each antenna coupled to the processing unit 413 and each antenna being associated with one of the detection areas 405a, 406 and 405b, respectively. The processing unit 413 comprises and RFID detection circuit coupled to the antennas A1, A2 and A3. The RFID detection circuit is configured to detect whether an identification element in the form of an RFID tag is positioned within one of the detection areas. Alternatively, the processing unit 413 may comprise separate RFID detection circuits for each of the antennas. The processing unit 413 is further configured to read information from a detected identification tag and to forward the read information via data interface 223 to a data processor, such as computer of other data processing system. The processing unit 413 is further configured to receive information from a data processor via data interface 223 and to write the received information to a detected identification tag.

[0111] The antennas may be formed as respective antenna coils located below and parallel to a contact surface 229 defined by the reader; in this example the contact surface is a top surface of the housing of the reader onto which tags T1-T3 may be placed. A first detection area 405a is defined within the contact surface of the reader so that the coil antenna A1 encircles the first detection area such that the magnetic flux through the first detection area is surrounded by the coil A1. Similarly, antenna A2 is formed as an antenna coil located below and parallel to a contact surface 229 defined by the reader, and a second detection area 406 is defined within the contact surface of the reader so that the coil antenna A2 encircles the second detection area such that the magnetic flux through the second detection area is surrounded by the coil A2. Similarly, antenna A3 is formed as an antenna coil located below and parallel to a contact surface 229 defined by the reader, and a third detection area 405b is defined within the contact surface of the reader so that the coil antenna A3 encircles the second detection area such that the magnetic flux through the second detection area is surrounded by the coil A3.

[0112] The detection areas are defined within the contact surface 429 such that the detection areas do not overlap with each other and are separated from each other. The detection areas may be delimited from the remainder of the contact surface, e.g. by a different color, a boundary, as an elevated surface portion or as a recessed surface portion, or in another easily recognizable manner.

[0113] In the example of FIG. 8, three tags T1-T3, respectively, are placed on the contact surface of reader 440. Tag T1 is placed within the first detection area 405a, tag T2 is placed within the second detection area 406, while tag T3 is placed within the third detection area 405b. Hence, antenna A1 is operable to detect and read tag T1. Similarly, antenna A2 is operable to read tag T2 and antenna A3 is operable to read tag T3.

[0114] Generally, each antenna may emit an interrogation signal causing a tag within its detection range to respond with a response signal. In some embodiments, the interrogation signal may further provide operating power to the tag(s) within the detection range of the antenna, e.g. as in the case of detecting passive tags such as passive RFID tags. In some embodiments, a multiplexing scheme is employed where the antennas A1, A2 and A3 are activated alternatingly. Hence, the antennas may be alternatingly active in respective time windows of an activation cycle.

[0115] The position of the detected tags may thus be determined by the processing unit (or by an external processor) using the detection signals of the antennas A1, A2 and A3, respectively. It will be appreciated that, other embodiments may use a different number of antennas.

[0116] In some embodiments, the processing unit 413 may be configured to read information from an identification element only if the identification tag is detected in one or a subset of the detection areas, e.g. detection areas 405a and 405b. In other embodiments, the processing unit 413 may be configured to read information from an identification element regardless of which detection area the identification tag is detected in.

[0117] In some embodiments, the reader may be configured to store data in the memory of a detected tag. During the writing process, only one of the antennas is active. In some embodiments, the processing unit 413 may be configured to write information to an identification element only if the identification tag is detected in one or a subset of the detection areas, e.g. only detection area 406, thus implementing one or more read-only and/or one or more write-only detection areas. In some embodiments, the selective reading and/or writing of information to identification elements conditioned on which detection area the identification element has been detected in may be enforced by the external data processor. To this end, the reader may communicate to the data processor via data interface 223 which detection area is occupied by an identification element. In some embodiments, detection area 406 is selectively used for reading and writing from/to an identification element, but such that upon placement of an identification element on detection area 406, the data processor either only reads data from the identification element or writes data to the identification element. For example, the identification element may comprise multiple memory areas and/r have stored thereon multiple types/categories of information. Upon placement of an identification element within detection area 405a or 405b, all memory areas and/or data categories may be read but not altered. Upon placement of an identification element within detection area 406 some memory areas and/or data categories may be read but not altered, while other memory areas may be written to but not read from.

[0118] It will be appreciated that other embodiments of a reader may comprise more antennas so as to be able to distinguish more than three detection areas. As in the previous example, the antennas may be activated one-by-one in a cyclic pattern as described above for the case of two antennas.

[0119] It will be appreciated that other examples of readers may comprise different numbers and/or different geometrical arrangements and/or different types of antennas.

[0120] Embodiments of the method described herein can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and/or at least in part by means of a suitably programmed microprocessor.

[0121] In the claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same element, component or item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0122] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, elements, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components or groups thereof.