EP1221336B1 - Véhicule jouet interactif, destiné à supporter une figurine jouet - Google Patents

Véhicule jouet interactif, destiné à supporter une figurine jouet 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
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1221336A2 (fr
EP1221336A3 (fr
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
Original Assignee
Thinking Tech Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thinking Tech Inc filed Critical Thinking Tech Inc
Publication of EP1221336A2 publication Critical patent/EP1221336A2/fr
Publication of EP1221336A3 publication Critical patent/EP1221336A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1221336B1 publication Critical patent/EP1221336B1/fr
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.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)

Claims (21)

  1. Jouet avec des roulettes conçu pour réagir de manière interactive aux mouvements, qui comprend :
    (a) des capteurs (24, 42, 61) capables de détecter un changement de mouvement sélectionné parmi la vitesse, la direction et l'angle d'orientation ;
    (b) un moyen informatique de traitement des données (41) afin de transformer les signaux provenant des capteurs, pour calculer l'orientation du jouet, et pour générer une réaction électronique, sélectionnée parmi une série de réactions pré-sélectionnées, appropriées à ladite orientation ou audit changement de mouvement.
    (c) des moyens de communication (13, 17) conçus pour recevoir ladite réponse électronique et pour générer une réaction visuelle ou audible qui peut être perçue par l'utilisateur du jouet afin de provoquer un changement dans ladite orientation ou ledit mouvement.
  2. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel le moyen informatique de traitement comprend un circuit intégré.
  3. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de communication sont constitués de la combinaison d'un circuit intégré et d'au moins un haut-parleur acoustique (17).
  4. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur comprend un capteur d'équilibrage à levier (42) qui sert à détecter les rotations du jouet autour d'un axe de rotation pour mesurer les mouvements de bascule aussi bien vers l'avant et vers l'arrière que d'un côté à l'autre.
  5. Jouet de la revendication 4, dans lequel deux capteurs comprennent des capteurs d'équilibrage à levier (43, 51) qui servent à détecter les mouvements de bascule du jouet respectivement à l'arrière et à l'avant mais aussi latéralement.
  6. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur comprend un capteur directionnel (24) qui détecte les mouvements vers l'avant et vers l'arrière sur le plan horizontal.
  7. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur comprend un capteur de vitesse (24) qui détecte la vitesse des mouvements du jouet vers l'avant et vers l'arrière sur le plan horizontal.
  8. Jouet de la revendication 7, dans lequel le capteur de vitesse comprend un élément rotatif qui déclenche un interrupteur, un certain nombre de fois par rotation, de telle sorte que le nombre de déclenchement de l'interrupteur par unité de temps indique la vitesse.
  9. Jouet de la revendication 8, dans lequel l'élément rotatif (25, 27) comprend des cames qui déclenchent l'interrupteur seulement lorsqu'il tourne dans une seule direction.
  10. Jouet de la revendication 9, comprenant une paire d'éléments rotatifs et de combinaisons d'interrupteurs qui déclenchent un interrupteur lorsqu'il tourne dans une direction, et un autre interrupteur lorsqu'il tourne dans la direction opposée.
  11. Jouet de la revendication 1, comprenant une paire de leviers d'équilibrage et un capteur de direction et de vitesse.
  12. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de traitement servent à générer des signaux adaptés à une pluralité de bruits de fonds.
  13. Jouet de la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de traitement servent à générer des signaux adaptés à une pluralité de réactions de la part du jouet transporté.
  14. Jouet de la revendication 1, comprenant également les moyens de transport de la poupée ou du jouet transporté.
  15. Jouet de la revendication 14, dans lequel les moyens de transport de la poupée ou du jouet transporté comprennent un siège.
  16. Jouet de la revendication 15, dans lequel les moyens de communication servent à générer un son adapté à la poupée ou au jouet transporté dans la poussette.
  17. Jouet de la revendication 17, dans lequel le jouet comporte en outre un interrupteur d'état (16, 18) qui indique le moment où la poupée ou le jouet est installé.
  18. Jouet de la revendication 18, dans lequel l'interrupteur d'état est intégré dans le moyen de fixation (16) pour attacher la poupée ou le jouet dans la poussette.
  19. Jouet de la revendication 1, comprenant un capteur de vibration (61).
  20. Jouet de la revendication 8, dans lequel l'élément rotatif comprend un aimant qui tourne avec une roue du jouet par rapport à au moins un contact reed.
  21. Jouet de la revendication 8, dans lequel l'élément rotatif comprend un aimant qui tourne sur une roue du jouet par rapport à trois détecteurs de champs magnétiques, de telle sorte que la direction de la rotation de la roue et la vitesse de rotation de la roue puissent être détectées et déterminées.
EP01130880A 2001-01-03 2001-12-27 Véhicule jouet interactif, destiné à supporter une figurine jouet Expired - Lifetime EP1221336B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1221336A2 EP1221336A2 (fr) 2002-07-10
EP1221336A3 EP1221336A3 (fr) 2003-05-07
EP1221336B1 true EP1221336B1 (fr) 2004-09-01

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01130880A Expired - Lifetime EP1221336B1 (fr) 2001-01-03 2001-12-27 Véhicule jouet interactif, destiné à supporter une figurine jouet

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20020102908A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1221336B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002224461A (fr)
DE (1) DE60105256D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
JP7613910B2 (ja) * 2020-12-25 2025-01-15 株式会社エポック社 人形玩具セット

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
KR100669297B1 (ko) * 1999-01-28 2007-01-17 레고 에이/에스 원격 제어 완구

Also Published As

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

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