EP1221336B1 - Zum Halten einer Spielfigur geeignetes interaktives Spielfahrzeug - Google Patents

Zum Halten einer Spielfigur geeignetes interaktives Spielfahrzeug Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1221336B1
EP1221336B1 EP01130880A EP01130880A EP1221336B1 EP 1221336 B1 EP1221336 B1 EP 1221336B1 EP 01130880 A EP01130880 A EP 01130880A EP 01130880 A EP01130880 A EP 01130880A EP 1221336 B1 EP1221336 B1 EP 1221336B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toy
sensor
switch
doll
speed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01130880A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1221336A2 (de
EP1221336A3 (de
Inventor
Albert Wai Tai Chan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thinking Tech Inc
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Thinking Tech Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thinking Tech Inc filed Critical Thinking Tech Inc
Publication of EP1221336A2 publication Critical patent/EP1221336A2/de
Publication of EP1221336A3 publication Critical patent/EP1221336A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1221336B1 publication Critical patent/EP1221336B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
    • A63H17/25—Other wheeled vehicles with moving figures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H2200/00—Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls

Definitions

  • a wheeled vehicle toy which could generate a variety of audible and/or visual signals to correspond with various activities which a child might undertake. It would be a further advantage if a doll or toy character could be placed into the vehicle, and the vehicle would generate such signals in response to, for example, simulated speech by the doll or toy character. It would be a further advantage if the vehicle would respond to its environment, in terms of its direction and speed of motion, rocking motion, or the like.
  • the invention comprises a wheeled toy adapted to respond interactively to movement, comprising: at least one sensor adapted to detect a change in movement selected from speed, direction and angle of orientation; a computer processing means adapted to process signals from the sensor, to calculate the orientation of the toy. and to generate a signal appropriate to said orientation or change in movement; and communication means adapted to receive said signal and to generate a response which can be sensed by a user of the toy in order to prompt a change in said orientation or movement.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a stroller, although the invention is equally applicable to other wheeled vehicles such as wagons, carts, and the like which can be adapted to carry a toy character.
  • the stroller 1 comprises wheels 3.
  • the wheels may be provided with forward/reverse sensors 24, which will be described more fully below.
  • a strap 14 comprising a latch 15 including a sensor or switch 16 is adapted to secure a toy character to the stroller.
  • the latch sensor or latch switch 16 completes an electrical circuit to signal when the doll or toy character is latched in place. Indeed, the circuit may be created with or without a doll in place, but the user may be prompted to put a toy in place.
  • a pressure sensitive sensor or other suitable sensor 18 may be placed in the seat of the stroller to indicate whether a doll is in place. Such a sensor may be used alternatively to, or in addition to, latch 15 and latch switch or sensor 16.
  • the stroller 1 is provided with a self-contained electrical power source, such as storage battery cells 20 located behind battery cover plate 19 as shown in Figure 4.
  • the stroller may further be provided with multiple sensors to detect vibration, or tilting in back and forth or sideways directions.
  • lever balancing sensors 42 are useful in this regard, particularly for tilt detection, as more fully described below.
  • the stroller 1 is provided with an audio speaker 17 located in the vicinity of a doll or toy character when one is placed in the stroller.
  • the stroller may also be provided with one or more further speakers 13 somewhat distanced from the vicinity of a doll or toy character when one is placed in the stroller.
  • the latch switch 16 which may be located in the closure means 15 or triggered by the placing of the doll in a seat with sensor 18 (see Figure 1), triggers or permits the flow of electrical power from the batteries 20 to the electrical or electronic components.
  • a single microprocessor or integrated circuit, or a combination of microprocessors and integrated circuits 41 appropriately programmed begins to generate signals. Typically, such signals are audible in nature although visual signals can also be generated.
  • a segment of human speech recorded on the integrated circuits 41 can be projected at speaker 17 to simulate speech by the toy character.
  • the location of the speaker 17 in the vicinity of the toy character 18 creates this illusion. It is an advantage to be able to use any toy character which can be latched into place in order to give maximum flexibility to the child using the toy.
  • a particular toy character and vehicle combination could be mandated, if desired.
  • the toy then interacts with the child to suggest certain play activities and to react to the activities chosen. For example, by pressing "talk" button 5, under the control of the microprocessor 41, an initial prompt made audible by the speaker 17 in the vicinity of the toy character could constitute a request ostensibly by the character sitting in the stroller to be taken for a walk or to be taken to a specific location, such as the zoo. If the child then puts the stroller in forward motion for a walk, an appropriate forward motion is detected by one or more direction and speed sensors 24 which may be mounted on or in wheel 3. Other sounds can be generated at a secondary speaker 13 to simulate background noises.
  • An initial activity with appropriate background noises may be chosen by the microprocessor either randomly or in a specific order, or the user may select a specific activity by depressing button 7 for shopping, button 9 for the park, or button 11 for the zoo, for example.
  • the doll will appear to be speaking from a location near its seat while background noises will be generated from a speaker remote from the toy character but still located on the stroller.
  • the toy character thus can appear to make various comments about being, for example, at the zoo while background zoo noises are generated at the remote speaker 13.
  • a new set of signals can be generated.
  • the toy character may ostensibly ask to be taken to another location, such as the grocery store or a park.
  • appropriate forward motion is generated and sensed at sensor 24, appropriate new background noises and toy character phrases can be generated.
  • a vibration detector or sensor 61 in the stroller detects bumps or rough conditions.
  • a signal generated by the vibration detector 61 can prompt a simulated voice response at speaker 17 appropriate to such bumpy conditions.
  • the toy character 18 may act shocked, or request to be taken to smoother terrain. Similar responses can be generated if the stroller is tipped from side to side, driven too fast, or driven in reverse, as more fully described below.
  • the stroller may additionally be provided with a microphone 14 to detect speech from the child using the stroller.
  • the detection of such speech patterns can be used to generate a further set of responses at the toy character speaker 17 all under the control of microprocessor 41.
  • the stroller and toy character combination along with movement imparted by the child using the combination, leads to real time interactivity with the illusion of the toy character speaking to the child and responding to changed circumstances.
  • lever balancing sensor unit 43 is more fully described in Figures 6A through 6D.
  • a lever balancing sensor has the advantage of being simple and relatively inexpensive.
  • a pendulum 45 hangs between two contact plates 47, 49 creating no signal when the wheeled vehicle is sitting flat on a plane.
  • the pendulum 45 remains vertical while the contact plates are tilted along with the vehicle, thus creating a signal when the pendulum touches one or the other of contact plates 47 or 49.
  • Figure 6D illustrates an array of two sensors oriented at 90° to detect orientation or tipping from front to back or from side to side.
  • direction and speed sensor 24 comprises a pair of rotating cams 25, 27 and trigger switches 29, 31.
  • the trigger switches are respectively adapted to contact stops 37, 39 in one direction, while the cams are permitted to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the rotation of the wheel to which they are mounted.
  • a trigger switch When a trigger switch is free to rotate, it can ride up its corresponding cam and avoid the pressure which would lead to the switch being closed.
  • the respective stop prevents the trigger switch from rotating and the cam motion causes the switch to close at least once per rotation of the cam.
  • Signals from the microprocessor to generate a sound segment a speaker 17 can indicate to the user whether the direction of movement of the stroller is forwards or backwards.
  • the toy character ostensibly communicates to the user an awareness of the direction of travel.
  • the speed of motion of the wheels can be calculated. If the speed becomes too great, an appropriate response can be generated from the microprocessor 41. For example, the toy character 18 may be prompted to appear to ask the child user to slow down, or to speed up if appropriate, or to express delight at going fast.
  • the various sensors can detect rapid changes in movement, real time responses can be generated.
  • the illusion is created of the toy character being carried in the wheeled vehicle and reacting as if it were animate.
  • the volume and timing of voice responses can be varied.
  • the stroller may be provided with lights or moving parts which can also be made to react to movement or orientation.
  • the child will remove the toy character 18 from the vehicle when it is finished playing. This will open the trigger switch 16 and should stop the use of battery power when not required. Obviously, keeping the sensors powered will use battery energy.
  • the vehicle can also be provided with buttons to be operated manually by the child in order to generate responses. This will allow responses to be generated at the request of the child.
  • the stroller When the stroller is left unattended for a period of time, it can shut down to conserve the batteries by the use of an appropriate timer connected to a power-interruption switch as known in the art. This timer function can be built into integrated circuits contained within the vehicle.

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  • Toys (AREA)

Claims (21)

  1. Spielzeug mit Rädern, dafür angepasst um auf Bewegung interaktiv zu reagieren, umfassend:
    (a) Sensormittel (24, 42, 61), angepasst um eine Bewegungsänderung ausgewählt aus Geschwindigkeit, Richtung und Orientierungswinkel zu detektieren;
    (b) Rechnerverarbeitungsmittel (41), angepasst um Signale von den Sensormitteln zu verarbeiten, die Orientierung des Spielzeugs zu berechnen und eine elektronische Antwort zu erzeugen, ausgewählt aus einer Reihe von vorausgewählten Antworten, entsprechend der Orientierung oder Bewegungsänderung;
    (c) Kommunikationsmittel (13, 17), angepasst um die elektronische Antwort zu empfangen und eine sichtbare oder hörbare Antwort zu erzeugen, die von einem Verwender des Spielzeugs wahrgenommen werden kann um eine Änderung der Orientierung oder Bewegung anzuzeigen.
  2. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Computerverarbeitungsmittel einen integrierten Schaltkreis umfasst.
  3. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Kommunikationsmittel die Kombination eines integrierten Schaltkreises und mindestens eines Lautsprechers (17) umfasst.
  4. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Sensor einen Hebelabgleichsensor (lever balancing sensor) (42) umfasst, angepasst um die Rotation des Spielzeugs um eine Rotationsachse zu detektieren um ein Abkippen vorwärts oder rückwärts oder seitwärts zu messen.
  5. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 4, wobei zwei Sensoren Hebelabgleichsensoren (43, 51) umfassen, angepasst um das Kippen des Spielzeugs jeweils in Rückwärts- und Vorwärts- und Seitswärtsrichtungen zu detektieren.
  6. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Sensormittel einen Richtungssensor (24) umfasst, angepasst um eine Rückwärts- und Vorwärtsbewegung in der horizontalen Ebene zu bestimmen.
  7. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Sensormittel einen Geschwindigkeitssensor (24) umfasst, angepasst um die Bewegungsgeschwindigkeit des Spielzeugs vorwärts oder rückwärts in der horizontalen Ebene zu bestimmen.
  8. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 7, wobei der Geschwindigkeitssensor ein Rotationsglied umfasst, angepasst um einen Schalter eine bestimmte Anzahl von Malen pro Rotation auszulösen, so dass die Zahl der Auslösungen des Schalters pro Zeiteinheit die Geschwindigkeit anzeigt.
  9. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Rotationsglied (25, 27) eine Nockenoberfläche umfasst, angepasst um einen Schalter (29, 31) auszulösen sobald in eine Richtung rotiert wird.
  10. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 9, umfassend ein Paar der Rotationsglied- und Schalterkombinationen, angepasst um einen Schalter auszulösen wenn in eine Richtung bewegt wird, sowie einen anderen Schalter sobald in die entgegengesetzte Richtung rotiert wird.
  11. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, umfassend ein Paar von Hebelabgleichsensoren und einen Richtungs- und Geschwindigkeitssensor.
  12. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rechnerverarbeitungsmittel angepasst sind um Signale entsprechend einer Vielzahl von Hintergrundgeräuschen zu erzeugen.
  13. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rechnerverarbeitungsmittel angepasst sind um Signale entsprechend einer Vielzahl von Spielzeugfigurenantworten erzeugt.
  14. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend Puppen oder Spielzeugfigurentragemittel.
  15. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 14, wobei das Puppen- oder Spielzeugfigurentragemittel einen Sitz umfasst.
  16. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 15, wobei das Kommunikationsmittel angepasst ist um ein Geräusch entsprechend der Puppe oder der Spielzeugfigur, das in dem Kinderwagen getragen wird, zu erzeugen.
  17. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 17, wobei das Spielzeug ferner einen Statusschalter (16, 18) umfasst, um anzuzeigen wenn die Puppe oder das Spielzeug an seinem Platz ist.
  18. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 18, wobei der Statusschalter in Sicherungsmittel (16) eingebaut ist, angepasst um die Puppe oder das Spielzeug in dem Kinderwagen zu sichern.
  19. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen Vibrationssensor (61).
  20. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Rotationsglied einen Magneten umfasst, angepasst um in Relation mit mindestens einem Reedschalter, an einem Rad des Spielzeugs zu rotieren.
  21. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Rotationsglied einen Magneten umfasst, der angepasst ist um in der Relation zu drei Magnetfelddetektoren an einem Rad des Spielzeugs zu rotieren, so dass die Richtung der Rotation des Rades und die Geschwindigkeit der Rotation des Rades detektiert und bestimmt werden kann.
EP01130880A 2001-01-03 2001-12-27 Zum Halten einer Spielfigur geeignetes interaktives Spielfahrzeug Expired - Lifetime EP1221336B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US25922001P 2001-01-03 2001-01-03
US259220P 2001-01-03

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EP1221336A2 EP1221336A2 (de) 2002-07-10
EP1221336A3 EP1221336A3 (de) 2003-05-07
EP1221336B1 true EP1221336B1 (de) 2004-09-01

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EP01130880A Expired - Lifetime EP1221336B1 (de) 2001-01-03 2001-12-27 Zum Halten einer Spielfigur geeignetes interaktives Spielfahrzeug

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US (1) US20020102908A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1221336B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2002224461A (de)
DE (1) DE60105256D1 (de)

Families Citing this family (12)

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US6997773B1 (en) * 2001-05-16 2006-02-14 Mattel, Inc. Moveable toy with corresponding audio and visual outputs
US20030201662A1 (en) * 2002-04-29 2003-10-30 Armbruster Michael D. Infant entertainment device with a toy aquarium
US6955363B2 (en) * 2003-12-03 2005-10-18 Mattel, Inc. Toy Shopping cart
KR200350446Y1 (ko) * 2003-12-22 2004-05-13 주식회사 한국이어폰텍 놀이기구가 구비된 유모차
JP2005185547A (ja) * 2003-12-25 2005-07-14 Takara Co Ltd 玩具作動装置
US7806747B2 (en) * 2005-03-25 2010-10-05 Hasbro, Inc. Toy lawn mower
GB2458629B (en) * 2008-01-29 2011-07-06 Omri Rothschild Interactive toy
US8479961B2 (en) * 2008-02-19 2013-07-09 Tim Schneidau Device holder of a transport apparatus
US8461468B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2013-06-11 Mattel, Inc. Multidirectional switch and toy including a multidirectional switch
US8549552B2 (en) * 2009-11-03 2013-10-01 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to monitor media exposure in vehicles
KR101400892B1 (ko) 2012-10-22 2014-05-29 인하대학교 산학협력단 공용 통신망을 이용하는 유아용 탑승 완구류
US9551588B2 (en) 2014-08-29 2017-01-24 The Nielsen Company, LLC Methods and systems to determine consumer locations based on navigational voice cues

Family Cites Families (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4272916A (en) * 1979-12-06 1981-06-16 Cpg Products Corp. Proximity responsive toy
JPS6055985A (ja) * 1983-09-05 1985-04-01 株式会社トミー 音声認識玩具
WO2000044464A1 (en) * 1999-01-28 2000-08-03 Lego A/S A remote controlled toy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60105256D1 (de) 2004-10-07
EP1221336A2 (de) 2002-07-10
JP2002224461A (ja) 2002-08-13
US20020102908A1 (en) 2002-08-01
EP1221336A3 (de) 2003-05-07

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