Print-level sensing for interactive play with a printed image

A method for interactive play with a printed image, the method comprising:

• providing a printed image having a registration area and a plurality of feedback areas, the registration area and each of the plurality of feedback areas having an indicator color printed therein at a respective level;
• providing a figurine that includes a light source configured to illuminate the indicator color and a sensor configured to sense the level of the indicator color illuminated by the light source;
• sensing by the sensor in the figurine a first level of the indicator color in the registration area of the printed image;
• identifying, by a controller disposed in the figurine, a predefined template associated with the printed image based on the level of the indicator color printed in the registration area, the predefined template including one or more predetermined outputs associated with the level of the indicator color printed in each of the plurality of feedback areas;
• sensing, by the sensor in the figurine, a second level of the indicator color printed in a first feedback area of the plurality of feedback areas;
• determining, by the controller, a first predetermined output of the one or more predetermined outputs associated with the second level of the indicator color;
• and
• providing the first predetermined output.

An apparatus for interactive play with a printed image, the apparatus comprising:

• a body configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to a surface having an image printed thereon, the image including a registration area and a plurality of feedback areas, the registration area and the plurality of feedback areas each having a respective level of an indicator color printed therein;
• a light source disposed in the body that exposes the surface to light emitted by the light source, the light source being configured to illuminate the indicator color;
• a light sensor disposed in the body that receives light from the light source that is reflected off the surface;
• a controller disposed in the body that determines the level of the indicator color sensed by the sensor and identifies a predefined template associated with the image based on the level of the indicator color sensed in the registration area, the template including one or more predetermined outputs associated with each of the respective levels of the indicator color, and the controller identifying a first output from the one or more predetermined outputs to be provided upon determining the respective level of the indicator color in an associated feedback area in the image;
• and
• an output component that provides the first output, the first output being one or more of an audio output, visual output, and a tactile output.