Toy Play Set with Multiple Modes and a Housing for a Portable Electronic Device
A toy play set with multiple modes and a housing for a touchscreen portable electronic device includes a support structure, a first movable portion defining a housing configured to receive a portable electronic device, and a second movable portion. The first and second movable portions are rotatably coupled to the support structure and movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first movable portion is in an upright orientation and in the second configuration the first movable portion is in a flat orientation. The portable electronic device is configured to provide different game modes depending at least upon the orientation of the first movable portion and the detection of certain toy objects thereon.
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This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/749,030, filed Jan. 4, 2013, Attorney Docket No. 0621.2035P, entitled “A Toy Play Set with Multiple Modes and a Housing for a Portable Electronic Device,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a toy play set. More particularly, the present invention relates a play set for toys, such as figurines, that can be used in conjunction with a portable electronic device (“PED”). The present invention also relates to a play set that includes a movable or reconfigurable housing for a PED, the housing being movable into multiple configurations or orientations within the play set.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAs touch-based or touchscreen technology has become more prevalent in society, the range of users for the same technology has dramatically increased. In fact, many touch-based tablets and apps are now created explicitly for children. Some of these touch-based devices are configured to detect an object (e.g. a stylus) or a user's finger in order to increase the play value of the touch-based device and some devices may even recognize certain toy objects. One example of a touch based device that recognize toy objects is described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/053,550, filed on Mar. 22, 2011, entitled Electronic Device and the Input and Output of Data (now U.S. Publication No. 2011/0227871 A1), which is hereby incorporated by reference in full.
Although many touch based devices have been successfully configured or adapted for use by children, many touch based PEDs are still fragile and easy to break. Thus, many PEDs must be kept in a case or cover when a child is using the PED. In order to increase the play value of cases and covers for touch screen PEDs, some cases and covers have incorporated additional play features or designs. However, the play features of the cases and covers do not always interact with the play included on the touch screen device and frequently confine touchscreen PEDs to one configuration within the case or cover. In other words, once a PED is placed in a case or cover, the PED device may not be moved within the cover or case. Thus, a toy play set with multiple modes that includes a movable or reconfigurable housing for a PED is desired.
SUMMARYAccording to at least one embodiment of the present invention a toy play set includes a support structure, a first movable portion, and a second movable portion. The first movable portion defines a housing configured to receive a portable electronic device and the first and second movable portions are movably coupled to the support structure and movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first movable portion is in an upright orientation in the first configuration and a flat orientation in the second configuration and the portable electronic device is configured to provide different game modes depending at least upon the orientation of the first movable portion.
In some embodiments of the above toy play set, the second movable portion is in a flat orientation in both the first configuration and the second configuration. In other embodiments, the first and second movable portions are rotatable between the flat orientation and the upright orientation with respect to the support structure. In yet other embodiments, the second movable portion also includes controls electronically coupled to the portable electronic device. In some of these embodiments, the controls include at least one of a movement sensing assembly or buttons.
In yet other embodiments of the above play set, the game mode provided by the portable electronic device is further dependent upon the detected presence of a certain character or object. In some of these embodiments, the toy play set is operable in at least a first game mode or a second game mode when in the first configuration and a third or fourth game mode when in the second configuration, wherein the first and second game modes are only accessible when the portable electronic device is electronically coupled to the playset. For example, in embodiments where the second movable portion includes controls electronically coupled to the portable electronic device, the second game mode is played via the controls. In embodiments where at least one of the first, second, third and fourth games modes includes character-specific sub modes, each of the sub modes is initiated upon detection of a character. In yet other embodiments, the support structure includes a theme and the portable electronic device displays interactive images that match the theme of the support structure when in the first and third game modes. For example, the support structure may include a castle theme.
In still further embodiments, the first movable portion includes a top and a bottom. The top and bottom form a housing for receiving the portable electronic device therebetween and the top and the bottom are selectively coupleable along at least one of their edges in order to selectively secure the portable electronic device within the housing. In some of these embodiments, the first movable portion also includes at least two actuators, the top and bottom only being decoupleable along at least one of their edges when more than one of the at least two actuators are actuated simultaneously.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a toy play set includes a support structure and a housing. The support structure is configured to rest atop a support surface and includes at least one feature configured to receive a toy accessory. The housing is configured to removably receive a portable electronic device and is movably coupled to the support structure and movable with respect to the support structure between a flat orientation and an upright orientation.
In some embodiments of the above toy play set, the support structure and housing include a theme and the portable electronic device is configured to display images or games which match the theme when the portable electronic device is received within the housing. In other embodiments, the portable electronic device is configured to provide at least a first play mode in the flat orientation and at least a second play mode in the upright orientation, the first play mode being different from the second play mode. In still other embodiments, the housing is a first movable portion and the toy play set also includes a second movable portion. The second movable portion also being movably coupled to the support structure and including controls to allow a user to interact with the portable electronic device.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a housing for a portable electronic device includes a top including at least two lateral edges, a bottom hingedly coupled to the top at a first lateral edge, at least two actuators, and a hinge coupled to a toy play set. The bottom is removably securable to the top via a locking mechanism at a second lateral edge and the top and bottom are configured to receive the portable electronic device therebetween. In order to release the locking mechanism and decouple the second lateral edge of the bottom from the top, more than one of the at least two actuators must be actuated simultaneously. The hinge allows the housing for the portable electronic device to be rotatably coupled to the toy play set along the first lateral edge so that the housing is rotatable between a flat orientation and an upright orientation.
Some embodiments of the above housing are configured to be electronically coupled to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received therein. In other embodiments, the top also includes a cover and a slot. The cover is biased in a first position that aligns the cover to cover a home button of a portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is oriented in a first direction within the housing. The cover is selectively retractable to a second position which reveals the home button. The slot is alignable with the home button in order to expose the home button when the portable electronic device is oriented in a second direction within the housing.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONGenerally referring to
Referring first to
Still referring to
In some embodiments, the electronics included in the second movable portion 300 may be electronically coupled to the PED 40 housed in the first movable portion 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Now referring to
Still referring to
Now turning to
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Still referring to
Thus, in embodiments where movable portions 200 and 300 are rotatably coupled to support structure 102 at a position elevated above the surface that the support structure 102 is resting upon, movable portions 200, 300 may actually be flat when disposed in a flat or horizontal orientation. In other embodiments, such as those where movable portions 200, 300 are rotatably coupled to support structure 102 in a non-elevated orientation with respect to the surface that support structure 102 is resting upon, the overhanging portion of top 202 and the stand 304 may be omitted from the first and second movable portions 200, 300, respectively. In still further embodiments, the overhanging portion of top 202 and stand 304 may be sized as desired so that movable portions 200, 300 may be disposed at desirable angles when either is disposed in a flat configuration, such as second configuration 20.
Now turning to
As can also be seen in
For example, if a parent wants the home button to be covered, the parent may place the PED 40 in tray 260 so that the home button is aligned with cover 206. In some embodiments, cover 206 may be biased in a covering position so that cover 206 may also serve as a child lock, as desired. If biased, the cover 206 must be held in a retracted position in order to press the home button and the cover 206 will automatically move back into a covering orientation once released. On the other hand, if a parent is comfortable with their child having access to the home button, the parent may rotate the PED 180 degrees to align the “home” button with slot 205, such that the “home” button is still accessible when PED 40 is in play set 100. Alternatively, if a child is old enough to operate retractable cover 206 but still wants the home button of a PED 40 to be covered to prevent it from being accidentally pushed, the home button may be aligned with cover 206 for convenience. Additionally, the slot 205 and cover 206 may allow the PED's camera or light sensor to be selectively or permanently exposed for at least some PED's, such as those PED's which include a camera or light sensor at an edge opposite the home button, as the camera or light sensor will be aligned with the slot 205 or cover 206 that is not disposed over the home button.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may be biased in a locking orientation (as seen in
Turning to
As mentioned above, and as shown in more detail in
Additionally, in some embodiments, tray 260 may be removable and/or reversible. As an example, tray 260 may be “reversible” by removing it and reinserting it with the supports 262 facing downwards (i.e. towards bottom 208). Reversing the tray 260 in the absence of a PED 40 may provide a solid surface under film 204, allowing the play set 100 to be used for play when a PED 40 is not available or installed within the play set 100 while still protecting film 204. Additionally, in some embodiments, the housing 201 may not include a film 204 and reversing the tray may simply provide a play surface that is coplanar with the top surface of top 202.
Now referring to
In
When actuated, each projection 226, 234 may slide away from one end of slot 228, 232, but while projection 226 may slide in a first direction, projection 234 slides in a second, opposite direction. In
Once both projections 226 and 234 are disposed within slots 228, 232, the top 202 may be lowered onto bottom 208, inserting every projection 226, 234 from sets 224, 230 into openings 240. In some embodiments, overhanging portions 235 and 227 may be angled or sloped so that even if the projections are disposed slightly exterior of their respective slots, the projections may still be inserted into openings 240. Thus, even if the projections 226, 234 are disposed slightly exteriorly of their respective slots 228, 232, the projections 226, 234 may still, in some embodiments, be inserted into openings 240. In other words, the projections 226, 234 may automatically align with opening 240 when the top 202 and bottom 208 are closed together. Alternatively, each set of projections 226, 234 may be moved within slots 240 by simultaneously actuating actuators 250. Regardless, once projections 226, 234 are inserted into openings 240, actuators 250 may be released and the projections may return to their biased or non-actuated orientations (see
In order to remove or unlock top 202 from bottom 208, the same steps may be taken in reverse. In short, the actuators 250 may be depressed, so that the projections 226, 234 are aligned with the openings 240 such that the top 202 can be removed from the bottom 208. However, in contrast with the steps for closing the housing 201, the top 202 and bottom 208 may not simply be pulled apart without actuating the actuators 250, thereby preventing or discouraging a child below a desired age from removing a PED 40 form the housing 201.
Next, generally referring to
In
For example, in some embodiments, the PED 40 may function in a first mode, such as living backgrounds mode, by default, and provide access to the second mode, such as cannon games mode, in response to certain user actions or inputs. In the present embodiment, a user may simply make a selection or series of selections in order to initiate the second mode (i.e. cannon games mode). However, in other embodiments, the PED 40 may function in the second mode in response to feedback from the movement sensor 310. For example, in some embodiments, the presence of an object 60 in the movement sensor 310 may trigger the PED 40 to move into cannon games mode and in still other embodiments (i.e. embodiments in which movement sensor 310 only detects the movement of receiver 312 and not the mere presence of an object 60), the PED 40 may move into cannon games mode when an object 60 is moved within the receiver 312 (like a joystick). In yet other embodiments, a user may only access the second mode from within the first mode. In other words, a user may be required to touch a portion of the screen or a menu that is presented in the first mode in order to access the second mode. Regardless of how the modes are accessed or provided, each vertical play mode may also include character-specific sub modes which may be provided upon the detection of a character. In fact, in some embodiments, the detection of a character may trigger a certain mode or sub mode to be provided.
In
In this particular embodiment, the PED 40 is configured to provide a third mode, such as “adventure and exploration” mode, which may alternatively be referred to as adventure mode (see
Now referring to
As can be seen in the flow chart of
As a more specific example of some of the modal functionality, in some embodiments, when the playset 100 is moved to an upright configuration 10, the PED 40 may initially present the great hall. Then, upon recognition of a character, character specific sub modes of the vertical play modes may become available. In embodiments where living backgrounds mode is the default mode, a door, entry, portion, or some other feature of the great hall may be unlocked, allowing the user to enter (i.e. by moving a physical or virtual character to and through a door via touches) the character specific living background. Alternatively, upon recognition of a character, a virtual representation of the detected character may automatically move through a door revealing the associated living background. For example, the knight 501 may unlock a door to a knight's bedroom, the wizard 503 may unlock a door to a wizard's lab, the archer 505 may unlock a door to an archery range, and the troll 502 may unlock a door to a dungeon. Each character-specific living background may include different features and/or interactive elements for a user to play with, only relating to each other insofar as each living background is a room or setting.
In this particular embodiment, the “living background mode,” is the default or basic mode for vertical play. In other words, if the PED 40 is in vertical play, the PED 40 may initially enter or remain in living background mode. However, since the specific living background sub mode is dependent on detected objects, if the PED 40 has detected and identified a conductive object prior to entering living background mode, the PED 40 may present a living background corresponding to the identity of that conductive object. In some embodiments, a character-specific living background may not be provided until the playset is in the upright configuration 10 and a character is detected. In the particular embodiment shown in
Alternatively, upon detection of a character, a user may choose to enter cannon mode with this specific character, such as via a selection or via movement of an object 60 in the movement sensor 310, as described above. In cannon mode, the gameplay is substantially the same regardless of the latest detected character, but the setting, ammo or enemies running at the user may change depending on the character that was most recently identified. For example, if the knight 501 was last detected by the PED 40, the knight 501 specific cannon game sub mode may display enemy characters 70 resembling trolls that appear to be running towards the user, as seen in
As shown in
Then, when the PED 40 is moved to a flat configuration 20, the PED 40 may initially present a courtyard or other outdoor setting, as seen in
In some embodiments, once the user moves a character or virtual representation of that character to a hotspot, the PED 40 may provide a figure-based game sub mode that is suited or tailored to a detected character, as seen in
It is to be understood that a toy play set with multiple modes and a housing for a portable electronic device may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
It is also to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A toy play set comprising:
- a support structure;
- a first movable portion, the first movable portion defining a housing configured to receive a portable electronic device; and
- a second movable portion, the first and second movable portions being movably coupled to the support structure and movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first movable portion being in an upright orientation in the first configuration and a flat orientation in the second configuration and the portable electronic device being configured to provide different game modes depending at least upon the orientation of the first movable portion.
2. The toy play set of claim 1, wherein the second movable portion is in a flat orientation in both the first configuration and the second configuration.
3. The toy play set of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable portions are rotatable between the flat orientation and the upright orientation with respect to the support structure.
4. The toy play set of claim 1, wherein the second movable portion further comprises:
- controls electronically coupled to the portable electronic device.
5. The toy play set of claim 4, wherein the controls comprise:
- at least one of a movement sensing assembly or buttons.
6. The toy play set of claim 1, wherein the game mode provided by the portable electronic device is further dependent upon the detected presence of a certain character or object.
7. The toy play set of claim 6, wherein the toy play set is operable in at least a first game mode or a second game mode when in the first configuration and a third or fourth game mode when in the second configuration, wherein the first and second game modes are only accessible when the portable electronic device is electronically coupled to the playset.
8. The toy play set of claim 7, wherein the second movable portion further comprises:
- controls electronically coupled to the portable electronic device and the second game mode is played via the controls.
9. The toy play set of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth games modes includes character-specific sub modes, each of the sub modes being initiated upon detection of a character.
10. The toy play set of claim 7, wherein the support structure includes a theme and the portable electronic device displays interactive images that match the theme of the support structure when in the first and third game modes.
11. The toy play set of claim 10, wherein the support structure includes a castle theme.
12. The toy play set of claim 1, wherein the first movable portion comprises:
- a top; and
- a bottom, the top and bottom forming a housing for receiving the portable electronic device therebetween and the top and the bottom being selectively coupleable along at least one of their edges in order to selectively secure the portable electronic device within the housing.
13. The toy play set of claim 12, wherein the first movable portion further comprises:
- at least two actuators, the top and bottom only being decoupleable along at least one of their edges when more than one of the at least two actuators are actuated simultaneously.
14. A toy play set comprising:
- a support structure configured to rest atop a support surface and including at least one feature configured to receive a toy accessory; and
- a housing configured to removably receive a portable electronic device, the housing being movably coupled to the support structure and movable with respect to the support structure between a flat orientation and an upright orientation.
15. The toy play set of claim 14, wherein the support structure and housing include a theme and the portable electronic device is configured to display images or games which match the theme when the portable electronic device is received within the housing.
16. The toy play set of claim 14, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to provide at least a first play mode in the flat orientation and at least a second play mode in the upright orientation, the first play mode being different from the second play mode.
17. The toy play set of claim 14, wherein the housing is a first movable portion and the toy play set further comprises:
- a second movable portion, the second movable portion also being movably coupled to the support structure, the second movable portion including controls to allow a user to interact with the portable electronic device.
18. A housing for a portable electronic device comprising:
- a top including at least two lateral edges;
- a bottom hingedly coupled to the top at a first lateral edge and removably securable to the top via a locking mechanism at a second lateral edge, the top and bottom being configured to receive the portable electronic device therebetween;
- at least two actuators, wherein more than one of the at least two actuators must be actuated simultaneously in order to release the locking mechanism and decouple the second lateral edge of the bottom from the top; and
- a hinge coupled to a toy play set, wherein the hinge allows the housing for the portable electronic device to be rotatably coupled to the toy play set along the first lateral edge so that the housing is rotatable between a flat orientation and an upright orientation.
19. The housing of claim 18, wherein the housing is configured to be electronically coupled to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received therein.
20. The housing of claim 18, wherein the top further comprises:
- a cover biased in a first position, the first position aligning the cover to cover a home button of a portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is oriented in a first direction within the housing, wherein the cover is selectively retractable to a second position which reveals the home button; and
- a slot being alignable with the home button in order to expose the home button when the portable electronic device is oriented in a second direction within the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 3, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 10, 2014
Applicant: Mattel, Inc. (El Segundo, CA)
Inventors: Jared P. PARDI (Cheektowaga, NY), Brian John ARGAUER, JR. (Cheektowaga, NY), Bruce Robert CORDIER (West Seneca, NY), Daniel J. DAMON (South Wales, NY), Anthony FAVORITO (Buffalo, NY), William Joseph MCCORMICK (Hamburg, NY), Brian P. MYSLIWY (Tonawanda, NY), Ross RUMFOLA, III (Akron, NY), Donald W. STUCKE, JR. (East Aurora, NY)
Application Number: 14/147,076
International Classification: A63H 33/00 (20060101);