ES2332071T3 - TOY. - Google Patents

Abstract

Toy, comprising, in combination, - a mobile autonomous part (3), and - an independent piece (2) to be searched, in which - the independent part to be searched has means (21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 ) for emitting at least one wireless signal, and - the mobile autonomous part comprises: - means (341, 342, 343) for receiving a signal or signals from the piece to be searched; - means (31, 32, 33, 321, 311) of displacement; - means to search for the origin of said signal or signals of the piece to be searched; - means (31, 32) for directing the mobile part towards the place of origin of the signals, characterized in that it comprises a user command (1) and because the mobile autonomous part further comprises: - means (344) for receiving commands from the command of user, and - means (34) for picking up the piece to be searched and bringing it closer to the user.

Description

Toy.

The present invention refers to a toy.

More in particular, the present invention makes reference to a novel toy comprising a moving part intended to find an object and bring it closer to the user.

In the current toy market there is a great number of electronic devices with movements, including devices that interact with the user, as is the case with called animatronics.

On the other hand, bass toys are known weight with movement capacity and an object trap. However, such toys must be directed by the user. to the goal, who must give the order to catch the object and to transport it to the desired position.

Also known are toys that follow a signal corresponding to the user.

EP106497A1 discloses a toy according to the precharacterizing part of claim 1 that It consists of an independent mobile crawling doll and a bear stuffed animal, which must be found, in which the bear figure of Plush owns infrared transmitters and crawling doll It comprises two sensors located on the front of the doll for the receiving an infrared signal from the teddy bear, some crawling mechanisms with two independent side engines and an electronic device that controls the engines depending on which sensor is receiving the signal, so that the doll crawler looks for the teddy bear. The doll simply approaches the teddy bear automatically.

Document US2003 / 0045203 discloses a complicated and high-cost robot that has a capacity to Interaction with other robots. In order to achieve this, the robot comprises an image recognition system to detect outputs of other pet robots, as well as complicated software to the distinction of the nature of other pets and change of consistent way its own character.

However, none of the existing toys is able, in an autonomous way, to detect an object, catch it autonomously and then take it to the user.

The toy object of the present invention is behaves as a companion dog would do, that is, when the user throws an object, the mobile part searches for the object launched, what collect and bring it to the user.

In this way, the toy interacts so active with the user, similar to how an animal would of company

In a basic embodiment, the toy object of the present invention comprises a toy according to claim
tion 1.

These features allow the object toy of the present invention make autonomous decisions in real time to achieve its objective (look for the piece to look for that has previously launched by the user), interacting with the user through a third object (the piece to look for).

Unlike other toys, the toy object of the present invention presents decision-making capacity in real time, without the need for the user to make decisions about the route to go to pick up the piece to look for, even in initially unforeseen situations. To do this, preferably the means to find the source of the signal and the means to direct the mobile part to the place of origin of the signals and the means to pick up the piece to look for and bring it closer to the user they have independent means of decision of the command of the user, said decision means may comprise, for example, a microcontroller, a board and an electronic memory.

The existence of emitters in the piece to look for allows an economical and simplified construction of the toy, what which is very important for its practical application. Preferably, said emitters will be infrared and will have more than one to ensure signal reception regardless of the position taken by the piece to look for a once launched. To avoid interference, the infrared receiver of the mobile autonomous part intended to receive the signal or signals of the piece to look for will present a bandpass filter to avoid interference from other infrared sources, whose frequency does not match the transmitter.

Especially preferably, the present invention provides that said infrared receiver is solely capable of picking up signals from the perpendicular direction to the front plane of the receiver. This feature simplifies greatly the computational and systems requirements of toy, because the toy will head straight to the object to look for.

The user command can be treated preferably from a remote control, with the functions main toy ignition and, optionally, to emit a return order to the user for the mobile part.

As for the mobile part, this may present, for example, animal form or the like, for example a dog, because its behavior is similar to that of a dog company.

Preferably, the means to seek the origin of the signal or signals of the piece to be searched include means for the moving part to rotate 360 ° around an axis until Find the cited signal or signals. This feature allows Simplify both the toy and the search for the piece to look for. To achieve said 360º rotation, for example, the said means to move preferably will comprise a system of two wheels, each having an independent motor, and a wheel crazy or pivot.

To provide autonomy and ability to take decisions to the mobile part, in order to find the origin of the signal of the piece to look for, go to it, avoid collisions with obstacles, this will include at least one device control, which will preferably comprise a microcontroller, a board and an electronic memory for storage of instructions.

To avoid collisions with obstacles in the path, the mobile part may comprise detection sensors, preferably infrared type and a control system of the speed and direction governed by a control device.

The means to pick up the piece to look for, in an extremely simple design option, will comprise a concavity, or they may also comprise a means of capturing The piece to look for. You can also understand a sensor system for detect the piece to look for once it is located in the cited means to pick up the piece.

The control device will comprise means (in circuit form, instructions in memory, or any other medium) for the toy to carry out successively and autonomously The following operations:

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look for the signal of the piece to look for

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move to the piece to look for

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capture the piece to look for

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optionally, maintain the position of rest until receiving an order from the user's command, and

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bring the piece closer to the user.

For a better understanding of the invention, attached by way of explanatory example but not limiting, some drawings of an embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of a toy according to the present invention. It has represented the functional elements of the mobile part, with an outer casing in dashed line.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a schematic representation of functional elements of a frontal of a possible toy embodiment according to the present invention, lacking the decorative part.

In figure 3 it is a schematic view in which the detection of the part to look for the toy by part is shown of the mobile part of it.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of elements arranged at the base of a toy embodiment according to the present invention and which allow the toy to be provided with a adequate mobility

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are schematic figures that show a possible way of using the toy according to the present invention

Figure 8 is a block diagram of a procedure carried out by a toy according to the present invention.

Figures 1 to 8 refer to different embodiments of the toy object of the present invention, without However, those similar elements matching in different Realizations have been designated with identical numerals.

In accordance with the present invention, and doing reference to figures 1 to 8, the toy object of the present invention comprises:

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A user control (1), for example a remote control, as shows in the different figures.

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A independent piece (2) to look for, for example a ball, as shows in the different figures.

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A autonomous mobile part (3), which is the main part of the toy and is which mimics the behavior of a living being.

To obtain the objectives of this invention, the autonomous mobile part comprises:

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Media to receive orders from the user command (1). The realization particular of such means will depend on the election of command of user (1) taken for each specific embodiment of the device object of the present invention.

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Media (341), (342), (343) to receive a signal or signals from the independent piece (2) to look for.

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Media to be able to scroll (31), (32), (33), (321), (311).

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Media to find the origin of these signals of the piece to be searched, which must issue the orders to the mobile part (3) so that move until you find the signals emitted by the part a search (2), and once said signal or signals are located, it moves until said piece to look for (2), that is, towards the place of origin of the signal or signals.

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So as means (34) to pick up the piece to look for and bring it closer to the Username.

In short, the toy object of this invention, physically, is divided into at least two parts independent (piece to look for -2- and moving part -3-), although preferably it will be divided into three physical parts: command of user (1), search piece (2) and moving part (3).

However, from a functional point of view, the toy presents, as already indicated, a higher number of systems, of which realizations are commented preferred.

User Command (1)

The user command can be implemented in different ways. For example, the user command could be implemented in the mobile part (3) in the form of a power button or off.

However, preferably, the command of User (1) may be a remote control, for example a remote by infrared, which will allow the user (100), for example, to give Start search orders and back to the user.

In the event that the user control (1) is a remote control, the mobile part (3) may incorporate, by For example, a specific communications port for remote control distance (1).

Piece to look for (2)

The piece to look for (2) can present any shape. It will be advantageous to have a spherical shape, because This form will allow you to roll freely. In addition, said form It has the advantage that it simulates more conveniently the A boy's game with his pet.

However, the spherical shape raises the problem that can be predicted in which position it will be stopped the ball (2). To solve said problem, preferably, the piece to look for will comprise a plurality of emitters, preferably five (21), (22), (23), (24), (25). Issuers they can thus preferably be of the infrared type, which they have the advantage of being light, durable and reduced cost. An example of a usable infrared emitter can be the IE-0545 issuer marketed by the company Waitrony, with an emission radius of 10 meters, which results suitable for the present application.

However, it would also be possible, for example, Use an ultrasonic emitter.

The presence of an emitting system in the piece a search allows to lighten and simplify the toy, reducing costs and making possible its realization in series in large quantities.

Moving part (3)

The moving part (3) of the toy object of the The present invention is autonomous. In the present invention "autonomous" means that it lacks power cables or of information transfer. Moreover, it also turns out highly recommended that it be manageable, in particular that its weight Do not exceed 2 kg. In addition, the mobile part of the object of the present invention presents means that allow you to take your own decisions, for example, to overcome obstacles, as will be seen later.

On the other hand, it is recommended that the outer part of the mobile part present an attractive form, by an example similar to that of an animal, although this is not strictly necesary. In any case, it will be highly It is recommended that the chassis does not have sharp projections or slits capable of catching a user's finger, facing Its application to children.

It should be noted that the mobile part must support a battery, the motor system, the corresponding sensor system and control device (e.g. plates integrated). Next we will describe the different parts and systems located in the mobile part (2).

System to receive the signal of the piece to look for

The reception system (43) of the signal of the piece to look for (2) will preferably be an infrared receiver. The accuracy of the toy will ultimately depend on this element. accomplished. Therefore, it requires special importance location of the element within the mobile part (3) and the focus of the element.

Both the sender system and the receiver of the signal should avoid common interference from IR sources such as the Sunlight and home lighting. To do this, the system receiver (344) will present a bandpass filter, preferably 28.5 kHz, such that the receiver only receive infrared light that "blinks" 28,500 times per second. For example, a receiver such as the PIC1018SMB of the Waitrony house.

The location and focus of the reception sensor (43) will depend on the final form given to the mobile element and the arrangement of emitters (21), (22), (23), (24), (25) of the part to look for (2). In general, it will be convenient for the sensor (344) to be located in a projecting part of the movable element (3), more preferably in the front plane mediatrix, as seen in the figures. Also preferably, the receiver (344) will be coated in such a way that it only allows the reception of signals from the perpendicular of the front plane of the sensor. In this way, the necessary precision is achieved only when the piece to be searched (2) is in line with the moving part (3). This feature greatly simplifies the task, because when the sensor (344) detects the part to be searched (2), it is only necessary to make the moving part move in a straight line, since it is clear that it is located just
in front.

Obstacle detection system

Preferably, the mobile part will have also of an obstacle detection system that can meet on the road.

For the present invention, it will be necessary that the detector system has a reduced response time, that the sensor system is independent of the material, color and light of the obstacle, that presents a relatively low consumption and that can be installed in an autonomous mobile part (3), that is, without cables, and of reduced weight and dimensions. According to the studies performed, for the present invention it will be preferred that the obstacle detection system comprises detection sensors by infrared For this application, infrared sensors they have the advantage of being simple and economical, not being a large detection distance or a calculation of the distance to the object, because the objective to achieve is to that the moving part (3) does not collide with the obstacle detected. In the figures can be seen different embodiments that incorporate three obstacle detection sensors (341), (342), (343). From according to the tests performed, they are sufficient for Realizations shown. An example of a sensor that meets the Specifications cited here is the company's GP2D15 sensor SHARP

Motor system of the moving part

Preferably, the mobile part (3) will have turning capacity around an axis. As will be commented later, this turn will facilitate the location of the piece to search (2).

This can be advantageously achieved, as see in figure 4, using two parallel wheels (31), (32) which each have a drive motor (321), (311), as well as a pivot or crazy wheel (33). This pivot system (33) or crazy wheel avoids electronically complicating the toy, being of easy construction The motors (321), (322) may be of type conventional, even of powers as low as 1W, according to each concrete application The engines will comprise the corresponding driver that allows their differential control by of a control device.

Motion speed sensor system

Preferably, to provide the toy with a greater precision, the robot can be equipped with measuring sensors of The speed of the engines. For this, encoders of Commercially available optical type. An encoder suitable for This application, for example, may issue an account pulse each approximately 0.4 cm. The sensor system has not been represented in the figures.

Autonomous power supply system

Being an autonomous element with movement capacity, the mobile part (3) will have the corresponding autonomous power supply system, for when the invention rules out the use of power cables. Said system may comprise a battery, preferably rechargeable and supply 12 V voltage difference, no resulting heavy, for example a rechargeable NiCd battery of about 800mA and 12V complemented with a power supply in function of the elements that the system incorporates.

Means to pick up the piece to look for

The mobile part (3) must present means that allow to pick up the piece to look for to bring it closer to the user. In the embodiments shown, the front part of the mobile part (34) It has a concavity that allows you to collect the ball or moving piece (2) and bring it closer to the user. It would also be possible, for example, arrange means of capturing the piece to be searched, such as suction cups or tweezers, although this, from a technical point of view, It could unnecessarily complicate the toy.

On the other hand, the means to pick up the piece to look for will be associated to direct or indirect means to determine if the piece to be searched (2) is (or not) in the area Reception (34).

Other systems

Given its playful nature, the mobile part (3) You can also understand light and music emitting systems.

Mobile part control system (3)

The part control system or device mobile (3) is essential for different systems to be coordinate so that the toy fulfills its main objective, it is say, locate the piece to look for (2), approach it and return it to the user.

In short, the control system stores the toy's operating procedures and executes the precise orders based on the entries coming from the different systems of the mobile part (3).

Today, there are commercially diverse technologies on which this element can be based such as pics, plcs, microcontrollers and even dsp.

A possible embodiment (not shown in the figures) may comprise, for example, a microcontroller of 8 18-pin CMOS and encapsulated technology bits (for example the PHILIPS 80C522 microcontroller) that has the advantage of being an element of known type, a plate incorporating said microcontroller as well as an electronic memory containing the instructions for the microcontroller, as well as the necessary ones Communications ports with different systems.

Toy run

The operation of the toy object of the The present invention is illustrated by Figures 5 to 8.

Figures 5 to 7 show the operation basic that is intended with the toy object of the present invention. The user (100) launches the search piece (2) and the part mobile (3) searches for a signal emitted by the transmitters (21) to (25) of the moving part Once the signal is located by the sensor (344) or corresponding sensors, the moving part (3) approaches the piece to look for (2), bypassing the obstacles of the road in function of the orders of the control device based on the data receiving from obstacle sensors (341), (342), until the piece to look for is in the reception area (34). After, the moving part brings the piece to search (2) to the user (100)

Figure 8 is a block diagram that makes reference to the main procedure collected in memory electronics located on the control device board. In in particular, the toy being (more specifically the mobile part -2-) on, it starts giving an activity signal (2001) (for For example, the dog lifts its head, which could lead to movement of the communications port with the user control (1),  and for example you can perform a circular motion (2002), for example on the pile (33). This turn on the pivot (33) it allows to sweep 360º in search of a signal coming from the emitters (21) to (25) of the piece to be searched and / or a signal from the command remote (1). If the signal of the piece to be searched is detected (2), the mobile part proceeds (2006) to be determined, by any method known, if the piece to look for (2) is in the area of Reception (34). If it is not found, a routine (2008) of approach forward towards the piece to look for (2), for example after issuing a search signal (2007), for example head down. If the piece to look for (2) is in the area of reception, the mobile part (3) can initiate a routine of "take the piece" (2006), for example, by closing the legs, lowering the head, operating means of prey or any other way. This routine will preferably lead to the disabling of the sensors of location of the signal of the piece to look for (2).

If on the other hand, the dog detects a signal from the user (2004), for example corresponding to an order of approach, the dog will start the routines (2007), (2008) before commented, so that it will approach the user (100), bringing the piece to look for (2) if it find in the reception area (34).

Of course, the toy object of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the procedure here described, being possible to modify this, simplifying it or introducing other subroutines. For example, it will be possible determine that the mobile part starts a routine back to the starting position once you've captured the ball, start a routine of searching for a signal from the user, in replacement of waiting to receive an order, such as occurs in the diagram of figure 8.

Of course, the control device It also includes instructions for executing other procedures, such as speed, direction and distance control traveled, as well as procedures to avoid obstacles detected by obstacle detectors (341), (342), (343), the which can be easily implemented by the expert in the subject based on their available knowledge and the content of the present specification.

While the invention has been described with respect to examples of preferred embodiments, these are not due consider limiting the invention, which will be defined by the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. Toy, comprising, in combination,

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a mobile autonomous part (3), and

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a independent piece (2) to look for,

in which

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the independent party to look for has means (21, 22, 23, 24 and 25) to emit at least one wireless signal, and

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the Autonomous mobile part comprises:

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media (341, 342, 343) to receive a signal or signals from the piece to look for;

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media (31, 32, 33, 321, 311) of displacement;

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media to find the origin of said signal or signals of the piece a look for;

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means (31, 32) for directing the mobile part towards the place of origin of the signals, characterized in that it comprises a user command (1) and because the mobile autonomous part further comprises:

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media (344) to receive orders from the user command, and

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media (34) to pick up the piece to look for and bring it closer to the user.

2. A toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (43) for searching the source of the signal and the means (31, 32) for directing the moving part towards the place of origin of the signals and the means for collecting the signal piece to look for and bring it closer to the user have decision means independent of the user's command. 3. Toy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the independent part (2) to be searched for has at least one infrared emitter (21, 22, 23, 24, 25), and the autonomous mobile part (3) has of at least one infrared receiver (344) capable of capturing the signal from the independent part to be searched. 4. Toy according to claim 3, characterized in that the infrared receiver (344) is capable of picking up a signal from the direction perpendicular to the front plane of the receiver. 5. Toy according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the receiver (344) has a bandpass filter for filtering infrared signals, the frequency of which does not match that of the transmitter. 6. Toy according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the independent part (2) has a plurality of infrared emitters. 7. Toy, according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the piece (2) to be searched has a ball shape. 8. Toy according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the user control (1) is a remote control. 9. Toy according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the mobile autonomous part (3) has an external animal shape. 10. Toy, according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said means (31, 32, 33, 321, 311) of displacement comprise a two-wheel system, each having an independent motor, and a crazy wheel or pivot, such that the moving part can rotate 360 ° around said pivot. A toy according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means (31, 32, 33, 321, 311) of displacement comprise a system for controlling the speed and displacement of the moving part. 12. Toy according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said speed and travel control system (311) comprises at least one optical encoder. 13. Toy, according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the means for searching for the origin of the signal or signals of the piece to be searched comprise an electronic control device. 14. Toy, according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the means for searching for the origin of the signal or signals of the piece to be searched comprise means for the moving part to rotate 360 ° around an axis until the said signal is found or signs. 15. Toy according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises sensors (341, 342, 343) for detecting obstacles. 16. Toy according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises electronic control means for varying the movement so as not to collide with an object detected by the sensors (341, 342, 343) to detect obstacles. 17. Toy according to claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the sensors for detecting obstacles are infrared sensors (341, 342, 343). 18. Toy, according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the means (34) for collecting the piece to be searched comprise a concavity. 19. Toy according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the means (34) for picking up the piece to be searched comprise means for capturing the piece to be searched. 20. Toy according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the mobile part (3) comprises a sensor system for detecting a search piece located in the means for picking up the search piece. 21. Toy, according to any of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the mobile part comprises a control device that controls and coordinates its parts. 22. Toy according to claim 21, characterized in that the control device comprises at least one plate, a microcontroller and an electronic memory device with operating instructions of the microcontroller. 23. Toy according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the control device comprises means for the toy to perform successively and autonomously the following operations:

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look for the signal of the piece to look for

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move to the piece to look for

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capture the piece to look for

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bring the piece to look for Username.

24. Toy according to claim 23, characterized in that the control device comprises means for maintaining the moving part in rest position after capturing the piece to be searched until an order is received from the user command (1).