Play system and method for detecting toys

A kit of parts for a play system for determining a user-modified configuration and location of a toy built from toy construction elements, the play system comprising:

• a plurality of user-modifiable toy construction elements comprising electrically conductive parts;
• a magnetic field generating device comprising a first and second plane arranged perpendicular to each other, each of the first and second plane projecting a magnetic field from a coil, therefore generating a magnetic field emanating in two dimensions, the magnetic field inducing an eddy current in the electrically conductive parts of the toy construction elements when the toy construction elements are located within the magnetic field;
• a sensor configured to detect the induced eddy current during relative movement between the toy construction elements and the magnetic field generating device;
• and
• a data processor configured to determine a spatial pattern of the electrically conductive parts based on the detection of the eddy current by the sensor, thereby determining a physical configuration and location of the toy.

A detectable toy construction set comprising:

• a magnetic field generating device having:
• a first plate;
• and
• a second plate arranged orthogonal to the first plate, the first and second plate each comprising a magnetic field generating coil, the magnetic field generating coils configured to create a magnetic field projecting out of the first and second plate;
• a toy construction model having a conductive part, the magnetic field inducing eddy currents in the conductive part, a profile of the eddy currents depending on the position and orientation of the conductive part relative to the magnetic field generating device;
• a sensor configured to:
• detect the eddy currents induced in the conductive part;
• and
• output a sensor signal;
• and
• a processor configured:
• to receive the sensor signal;
• determine a spatial movement pattern of the conductive part relative to the magnetic field generating device;
• and
• determine a configuration of the toy construction model.