Programmable Interactive Toy
An interactive toy which includes an object light sensor, an object microprocessor with an integrated memory device, controlled by an object switch mechanism, with a power source is programmable with light pulses from a separate toy device which consists of an object light source and user input methods such as buttons, also controlled with a microprocessor to control light coding. The interactive toy stores user codes in sequence applied. When the user takes away toy from device light source, the toy is placed down onto a flat playing surface where the object switch mechanism will engage and sequentially trigger playback of user applied codes. Preprogrammed commands (non-user) are herewith accessed and activated. When the said interactive toy is in the playback phase, output may be either or a combination of lights, audio clips, sounds, motion of parts and full motion of embodiment. The action of code inputs stimulates a child's logic and thinking, developing essential STEAM skills. The various forms of interaction with the toy base device adjusts the light source output to create a different code commands. A range of compatible accessories and toy playsets further diversify the play experience.
The present application claims priority on prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/079,069, filed Nov. 13, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is generally directed to toys, and more particularly to a toy figure(s) that can be programmed to perform a series of functions by interaction with a toy base device. As the child engages in planning which commands are best for achieving a variety of activities and actuating applying commands, and interacting with toy (and compatible accessories) during playback of the user applied commands, the child develops core STEAM skills. In essence, a toy figure retains traditional toy play patterns, which are brought to life and enhanced using the designated light source, generated from said toy base, or in a toy playset.
Teaching children how to code has become more important than in previous years, highlighted by the recent introduction of coding in the national curriculum as well as campaigns such as Code.org., with the likes of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg amongst others, heading up this awareness campaign.
However, majority of coding platforms are screen based, such as on a computer or tablet or mobile phone. This is the same for current programmable toys, typically robots, educational toys and science kits; a heavy reliance on time spent staring at a screen. Specifically relating to the toy industry, current and future trends are ‘smart’ toys that are connected to an electronic base (with computer logic) or to a smart device (such as a tablet or smartphone, computer) to enhance the play experience. Connectivity to such devices may involve placing the toy onto the surface of the base, or onto screen of a smart device, or wireless. When connected, the toy(s) typically communicate, (either receiving and or transmitting data) and are recognized by the smart base/a gaming app within the tablet, allowing the user to play and interact with the app of the device using the specific toy character figures, e.g. NFC, QR Codes, Bluetooth and like systems.
However, conventionally available toys that interact with an electronic base require high cost wireless communication technology. Alternatively a toy that interacts and communicates with a smart device requires the toy to incorporate capacitive contact points and require the user to hold the toy at specific points, thereby significantly limiting their use and function. Additionally, the app-based toys, that are not remotely controlled, are typically in the form of static figurines incapable of being programmed or becoming interactive, as desired.
ASPECTS OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure is directed to various aspects of the present invention directed to, without limitation, toys, toy figures, toy action figures, toy character figures, etc., real or virtual.
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a static toy or toy figure that can be animated or brought to life by interacting toy figure with an interactive toy base with relevant software which may also be further enhanced with connectivity to a smart device via an app. Further, the live action or animation can be varied, as desired.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that can be rendered interactive to perform desired functions or actions, preferably represented by one or more of light, sound, motion, smell, shooting of solid/fluid/projectile, and the like.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that can be programmed to perform desired functions or actions, preferably represented by one or more of light, sound, motion, smell, shooting of solid/fluid/projectile, and the like, by interaction with an interactive toy base with relevant software which may also be further enhanced with connectivity to a smart device via an app.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that is compatible with an interactive toy base with relevant software which may also be further enhanced with connectivity to a smart device, such as a tablet, smartphone, etc., to receive, process and/or store instructions to perform the user-selected functions or actions.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide recognition when a variety of compatible accessories is attached to programmable toy figure. This may be achieved by plugging in the accessory into the surface of the main programmable toy, in which a digital identification is triggered by a combination of mechanical and physical configurations within the main programmable toy.
Additionally, if programmable to is placed on smart device screen, the digital recognition recorded via means of image recognition and is fed back to user creating a magical and interactive experience. Examples may be a driver (toy accessory) slotting into a vehicle (main programmable toy figure) and being recognized as a particular character. Or a pilot (toy accessory) being inserted into the cockpit of a spaceship (main toy figure) and is registered as a pilot with a particular skill set.
Another example may be a robot warrior (main toy figure) with collectable weapons (accessory) which may incorporate a spring loaded projectile] to enhance user experience and fun.
The code input will then be affected and vary according to which accessory is digitally recognized. This will then affect code play back creating a unique play experience each time.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy figure that can be played with as a three-dimensional (3D) animated toy, or as its digital version/rendering on an electronic device, such as a tablet, smartphone, play-set, etc.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe main toy figure is placed onto an interactive toy base designed with relevant software which may also be further enhanced with connectivity to a smart device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The toy base may be small or a large play-set. The figure is then “given instructions” preferably by means of light pulses from the toy base in accordance with the user's selections, in which input methods maybe be either or a combination of buttons and or sensors (such as motion sensors) and or detachable accessories and plays back or carries out these instructions when lifted off the electronic toy base or smart device, or toy play-set and placed onto any flat surface.
The toy figure is an interactive toy, which receives light pulses and converts them to code instructions, stores the code with, for example, internal flash memory, then reacts and performs a function(s), once placed onto a flat surface. Light pulse input is transmitted from an interactive toy base or a toy play-set, with relevant software or a smart device, by input means of control of buttons and or sensors and or detachable accessories. The toy figure may be able to calculate distance travelled by means of a digital counter, similar to a Tachometer with readings taken from a micro wheel protruding from the underside of toy, rolling across the flat surface. Another means of calculating distance travelled is using sensors.
The electronically toy figure is a modular unit, with mini sockets for attaching and plugging in compatible components to enhance playback features, such as animating the toy figure with additional motors. These components may consist of for example, or audio features (speakers), whilst using existing inexpensive technology, e.g., light sensors, located inside the figure, which responds to a variety of light pulses (light pulses=command/instruction to microchip on-board the toy).
In the case of directly interacting with a smart device, the toy figure is preferably recognized by simply using the camera on smart device. For additional play options i.e. when playing on screen, the toy figure can also be recognized by a mirror mounted over a camera of the smart device to reflect and capture the toy, as well as its location on the smart device. The recognition technology may be achieved augmented capture; unique marker is located on each toy figure and each toy accessory. Other means of recognition may be image recognition engine built into the programmable toy app.
The invention provides free handling during playback of programmed instructions without the requirement of pressing buttons to initiate playback sequence. Uniquely, if connected to a smart device, the toy will preferably have electronically moving parts that react to commands from an app. These may be various game features. These moving parts may comprise of slots allowing accessories to be mounted which enhance imaginative play
Playback output from the toy may be altered by plugging in a secondary accessory into the toy base prior to programming selection. These secondary accessories may affect the transmission of light source, altering either or a combination of the light pattern, brightness, or frequency of pulses.
One of the above and other aspects, novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:
Referring to
As shown, the toy figure, represented by reference numeral 1, includes a marker 2 on one or more sides thereof that is unique to the type of toy or figure and which is captured by, for example, the camera accessory 24 plugged into the electronic toy base 18, and recognized thereof for identification and programming of the toy figure. The marker 2 can be a simple geometric figure, graphic, symbol or the like, or be an image representative of the toy figure itself. On the front side of the toy
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Referring now specifically to
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Coding input object(s) 23 such as buttons, or removable tiles or sensors are interacted with by the user 40 (see
To further expand coding input interactive methods, (
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In
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Having described a preferred embodiment of a toy figure in accordance with the present invention and an accessory thereof, a preferred manner of use and operation of same will now be described. Referring first to
As shown in
Next, the user 40 actuates code input method buttons/sensors 23 to choose the codes, the entries of which is visually displayed by the indicator 11 on the toy
As the user selects the codes by actuating the input methods 23, the electronic toy base 18 initiates a light pulse sequence 45 (see
As noted above, an internal counter 16 tallies the codes being uploaded and displays the remaining code allowance at the indicator 17 (see
Once the countdown is completed, the stored codes are activated and the toy figure displays an output 41 in the form of one or more of light, sound, motion, smell, action, shooting of a projectile, etc. As shown in
Referring to
The toy
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It is noted herewith that although the invention is described in terms of a toy figure, it includes, without limitation, toys, toy action figures, toy character figures, etc., real or virtual, now known or discovered/known later.
While this invention has been described as having preferred sequences, ranges, ratios, steps, order of steps, materials, structures, symbols, indicia, graphics, color scheme(s), shapes, configurations, features, components, or designs, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as those come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the claims appended hereto or presented later. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the preferred embodiment(s) shown/described herein.
Claims
1) A programmable toy unit comprising of:
- A body that includes a multitude of components;
- An object light sensor such as photoresistor to receive light pulses, an object logic such as a microprocessor to interpret and translate light data into code, an object Internal Memory to stores codes sequence(s) a connection socket to attach a variety of compatible accessories, an object component to identify the location driver wheel may be part of a location system consisting of a sensor or micro wheel, a Socket(s) for additional electronic devices such as a camera, infrared emitter and receiver, output components activated during playback of stored codes, output methods may include either or a combination of lights, audio and or trigger accessories which may be either or a combination of LEDs, speaker(s), motor(s), an object power supply such as rechargeable batteries, an object component to indicate when each code has been received; this object indicator may be a combination of not limited to lights/speakers, an object digital component which feedback current play status such as learning progress, stages in a game etc., an object micro lever switch which may be mounted higher internally within the said toy housing then triggered by a movable mechanical component, such as the underside chassis of a car which is electronically connected to control power flow to circuit to alternate the variable states, an object power saving component with an object switch, an object code accumulator digitally counted and interpreted by said microprocessor, an object capture marker to identify said toy unit which may be in the form of an illustration such as a related sticker or said capture marker may also be an electronic tag such as NFC.
2) A claim of:
- A body that includes a components primary to act as a controlled light source which will communicate with said toy unit figure as in claim 1); An object body; used to program the said toy unit by means of varied light pulses directed at the said toy unit, specifically at the object light sensor, typically a photo resistor, may be applied whilst toy object is placed onto.
3) A claim of:
- Said toy figure responds to coding method of claim 2) when laid down onto any plain flat surface, with output in varied forms such as motion, lights sounds or a combination of above.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 13, 2015
Publication Date: May 19, 2016
Inventor: Robert A. EARL-OCRAN (London)
Application Number: 14/940,267