- patent filed on March 4th but was published September 17th

- Link to the patent:

https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2015138192&recNum=1&maxRec=&office=&prevFilter=&sortOption=&queryString=&tab=PCT+Biblio

- Abstract:

Interactive smart beads are described. The beads are attached to a connecting element and form a fashion item such as a necklace or bracelet. The connecting element detects the presence of beads which are part of the fashion item and also beads which are part of nearby fashion items. The connecting element also autonomously generates interactions between two or more detected beads and transmits data about the interactions to a software experience so that a user can view a graphical representation of the interactions. In various examples each bead represents a character, environment, object, etc. and the software experience displays an animated story based on the characters, environments, objects, etc. represented by the beads involved in an interaction.

- if you click on the tab for "description" in the link of the patent it says the following which points to videogame application:

A number of games have also been developed in which gameplay is enabled (or unlocked) through the use of physical character toys which are placed on a custom base connected to a games console. By placing different toys on the custom base, different gameplay is enabled.

http://1080players.com/index.php/xbox-menu/item/2362-microsoft-files-patent-for-wearable-skylander-esque-toys-to-life-game

How is that even going to sell to the Halo set? Well, it might be cool.

Beaded bracelets and necklaces? It sounds like something my grandmother would wear...

Can someone explain to me what the abstract means? I can't understand all the jargon.

The last link has an interpretation.

The way I see it is that somehow you have this necklace and you insert (maybe) some beats that iteract between them and they are "scanned" (I suppose) or something, or the necklace sends a signal with the beads it has, I really don't know, and they have an effect on the software.

I could be wrong, but the way I see it is that you have this necklace and if you think of it as an RPG, the beads you insert there could have repercussions in the game, like granting you defense against fire, or ability to drain HP. But instead of the RPG comparison I made, the beads will make the software experience to display an animated story based on the characters, environments, objects.

I think of it as buying DLC through "beads" for a necklace/bracelet, and pairings of beads mix the way the software will display the content in each bead.

I bet I am gonna get quoted and told how wrong I got it and I don't care cuz I don't have time to overthink this and I gotta go out soon to a date with the goverment.

Wow, that's really complicated.

Maybe it is simpler and I am making it more complicated. lol

erm, Nintendo files a patent and the thread goes crazy with posts, Micro does and it is a cricket symphony. Sometimes I feel the Micro section is deserted, I feel lonely.

^ It's more likely necklaces and beads aren't very interesting to the majority on this website, unless maybe if it's about smart anal beads. REZ sequel confirmed?

I think most likely Microsoft is too late to jump on the toy-to-life bandwagon. There are already Disney Infinity and Skylanders on the market. Amiibo have a strong pull because of Nintendos iconic franchises, people would buy those figurines even without the NFC functionality.
Microsofts own franchises just don't have that pull in the relevant market for toy-to-life.

It's an interesting concept anyways and seems to be very geared towards small girls with the accessory/fashion/ swappable aspect.

Minecraft toys-to-life? Would make sense.