On Thursday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office released a patent application that shows Hasbro looking into manufacturing a manual platform that will allow kids to scan small objects in 3D using their smartphone.
One would think that a 3D scanner paired up with a mobile app is not exactly something for kids, but as a leading innovator, Hasbro thinks otherwise.
Hasbro is honored to be named #3 on the most innovative companies in Hollywood list by @FastCompany! https://t.co/9q4oe8E6hB
— Hasbro (@Hasbro) February 16, 2016
After the device scanned a toy or an object, the image may be used as an avatar or character for their games or view it in virtual reality. Although, the last one is a bit odd since they would already have the real thing, but hey, kids need fuel for their imagination, right?
According to the released patent office document, which filed last September 2015, the invention is attributed to Nicholas Reid, William Gajda, and Benjamin Parry Taylor.
The design itself is simple: a raised platform will serve as the scanning turntable. It can be manually turned by a crank located at the right side of the device. An important part of the structure is the extended arm that serves as the electronic scanning device dock - where the user should put the smartphone.
"The toy system allows users, including child users, to easily scan an object of their choosing and generate a virtual environment that includes a representation of the object. The representation can be a three-dimensional (3D) representation based on a 3D computer model that is generated from data collected during the scan of the object. The 3D computer model can be applied to and/or used in a variety of electronic user experiences," the document describes the device.
If that doesn't help you imagine it, a drawn image of what the toy would look like is supplied by the patent applicants below:
