Including Changeable Program Carried By Vehicle Patents (Class 446/436)
  • Patent number: 10275222
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with a model compute system for physical programming are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include one or more processors, devices, and/or circuitry to identify first rules associated with one or more physical subcomponents, e.g., blocks, tiles, or the like, or combinations thereof, assembled in a constructed model in a first control modality, wherein at least one first rule defines a first predetermined behavior of the constructed model, and determine a first program stack for execution by the model compute system based on the first rules associated with the one or more physical subcomponents. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Rebecca A. Chierichetti, Meng Shi, Yevgeniy Y. Yarmosh, Mark R. Francis, Ravishankar Iyer, Reese Bowes, Ankur Agrawal
  • Patent number: 9717998
    Abstract: A double-sided toy vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a driving mechanism, a transmission mechanism, a driven wheel set, a first driving wheel set and a second driving wheel set, in which the transmission mechanism comprises a reverse gear, a double gear, a transition gear, a first output gear and a second output gear; the reverse gear meshes with a rotating shaft gear of an electrical motor of the driving mechanism, and provided with an axial gear protruding axially and meshing with a first gear of the double gear; the double gear is provided at a position between the first output gear and the second output gear, achieving transmission of power of the electrical motor; the first output gear meshes with a second gear of the double gear through the transition gear, and the second output gear directly meshes with the second gear of the double gear to achieve the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: ALPHA GROUP CO., LTD., GUANGZHOU ALPHA CULTURE COMMUNICATIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dongqing Cai
  • Patent number: 8905814
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model including a programmer for interfacing a personal computer to the RX port of the electronic speed controller. The electronic speed controller software may be updated, modified or replaced through the RX port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Castle Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. Del Castillo
  • Patent number: 8678875
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model including a programmer for interfacing a personal computer to the RX port of the electronic speed controller. The electronic speed controller software may be updated, modified or replaced through the RX port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Castle Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. del Castillo
  • Patent number: 8433579
    Abstract: The voice-activated motorized remote control device relates to a motorized remote control, for consumer electronics, with wheels that will drive itself over to an end-user in response to the sound of his or her voice. The voice-activated motorized remote control device will also feature a beeping noise during normal operation and also a high pitched beeping noise that will alert the user if the device has become stuck against an object. The voice-activated motorized remote control device comprises a plurality of wheels; a remote control; a plurality of axles; a microphone; a speaker, a central processing unit with a voice recognition system, and a drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Roberto Duran
  • Publication number: 20130040533
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a set that includes a miniature vehicle that drives one or more wheels with an on-board motor that draws power from an on-board power source. A switch is provided to control the transmission of power from the power source to the motor. A first drive-related magnetically-responsive member is movable between first and second positions to control whether the switch is off or on. A second drive-related magnetically-responsive member is positionable to interact with the first drive-related magnetically responsive member to move the first drive-related magnetically-responsive member to the second position so as to close the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Kevin MILLER
  • Patent number: 8287328
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model including a programmer for interfacing a personal computer to the RX port of the electronic speed controller. The electronic speed controller software may be updated, modified or replaced through the RX port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Castle Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. del Castillo
  • Patent number: 8272919
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interactive intelligent toy that provides the appearance and experience of a toy hamster moving in, and interacting with, its environment and habitat. In an exemplary embodiment, the interactive intelligent toy comprises an intelligent motive and control component enclosed by a cover resembling a hamster, with fur coat, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and whiskers. The motive component includes a drive mechanism and circuitry operable to control the drive mechanism, monitor and detect user and event inputs, and detect and decode embedded codes from a pathway and perform predetermined actions or generate predetermined sounds in response. The motive component moves along and through a pathway component having one or more embedded codes detectable by the motive component, the embedded codes providing information to the motive component to direct desired action of the motive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Benson, Joseph McGowan, Michael Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8210897
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interactive intelligent toy comprising an intelligent element configured to resemble a person, animal, vehicle or other character and an environmental element configured to resemble a related environment, habitat or object. The intelligent element is adapted to perform certain preprogrammed actions upon coming into contact with or proximity to the environmental element. In one embodiment, the intelligent element is a motive component having a drive mechanism, a control mechanism and power source. The motive component is programmed to monitor and detect user and event inputs, and detect and decode embedded codes from an environmental element and perform predetermined actions or generate predetermined sounds in response. The motive component also engages with a coupling component and supplies the drive mechanism and power source for moving both the motive component and the coupling component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Benson, Joseph McGowan, Michael Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8025551
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has first, second and third wheels for movement over a surface. Each of the first, second and third wheels has a respective first, second and third axis of rotation that lies between the remaining two other axes of rotation such that the three axes of rotation are mutually adjoining. Each of the three axes of rotation crosses over the other two axes of rotation such that an angle is formed between each adjoining crossing pair of the axes of rotation where each angle is other than a multiple of 90 degrees. Each wheel is individually powered so that the toy vehicle can translate in any horizontal direction regardless of its facing direction. Two of the wheels can be realigned so their axes of rotation are collinear for conventional movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Torres, Christopher J. Hardouin, Mark S. Mayer, Tin Hung Ngai, Chun Wing Wong
  • Patent number: 7905759
    Abstract: An interactive play set, method and apparatus, is disclosed which is based on a host toy and a plurality of action figures. Each of the action figures has a unique set of attributes related to how the action figure interacts with the host toy device. The play set includes communication means to transmit the identity of the action figure to the host toy, and/or to transmit commands from the host toy to the action figure. The preferred embodiment discloses a remote control toy car, and a plurality of action figures that represent drivers. Associated with each action figure is one or a plurality of motion profiles that are stored in the memory of the car device. Upon connecting an action figure to the car device, the microprocessor of the car device will select and execute a motion profile corresponding to the action figure. The car toy device has a remote control apparatus to enable a player to interact with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
  • Publication number: 20110028068
    Abstract: A toy automobile includes wheels, axles connecting the wheels, a holding plate, a control circuit, a sensor, and struts and drive trains corresponding to the wheels. Each strut includes a pivoting strut and a support strut pivoted to each other, one ends of the pivoting strut and the support strut are slidably mounted on the axles. The other end of the support strut slidably resist at the bottom surface of the holding plate. Each drive train is connected with another end of the pivoting strut. When the holding plate is tilted relative to a horizontal reference plane, the control circuit controls the drive trains to drive the pivoting struts at a lower end of the holding plate, the pivoting struts rotate and lift the support struts correspondingly, thus to lift the lower end and make the holding plate parallel to the horizontal reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(Shenzhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KUI-JUN WANG, FENG-XIANG TANG
  • Publication number: 20100048095
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming an electronic speed controller for a radio controlled model including a programmer for interfacing a personal computer to the RX port of the electronic speed controller. The electronic speed controller software may be updated, modified or replaced through the RX port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Patrick D. del Castillo
  • Patent number: 7533071
    Abstract: A special purpose processor (SPP) can use a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or similar programmable device to model a large number of neural elements. The FPGAs can have multiple cores doing presynaptic, postsynaptic, and plasticity calculations in parallel. Each core can implement multiple neural elements of the neural model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Neurosciences Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Snook, Donald B. Hutson, Jeffrey L. Krichmar
  • Patent number: 7491111
    Abstract: An interactive play device, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes means to generate a plurality of interactions, entry control means, means to store responses to interactions and control means to select the next interaction based on memorized responses. One object of this invention is to provide a new class of interactive play devices, which is founded on personalizing a play device so that its current functionality is based on past interactions with a player rather than providing an identical operation or a randomly activated function each time the device is turned “on.” The invention also provides a plurality of toy devices, which operate in a plurality of states that mimic human behavior. A preferred embodiment discloses an interactive doll device, which generates interactions that require responses from the player. The responses are memorized by the doll device and are used to select the next interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
  • Patent number: 7448935
    Abstract: Toys and toy operating systems for use therein. A toy operating system may include an input system responsive to a predetermined quantitative characteristic of a liquid body, such as electrical conductivity, and a response system coupled to the input system and configured to generate one or more toy output patterns based at least in part on the given characteristic. A toy vehicle for use with such an operating system may include a chassis, a chamber adapted to contain a liquid body, and at least one toy component operable to display an output according to a generated output pattern. Exemplary toy components include an audiovisual assembly to produce an audiovisual display and a drive assembly to move the toy vehicle across a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trageser, Kip Pohlman, Don Wayne Stoner, E. Ernst Ginkel, Raymond J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080166946
    Abstract: Dump Truck Toy with a truck cab, a truck chassis, a truck bed, a motorized drive mechanism, a truck bed tilting mechanism, a microprocessor, a printed circuit board, a power source and a plurality of programming blocks. The blocks communicate with the microprocessor and the microprocessor gives directions to the motorized drive mechanism causing the truck toy to move in a programmed manner. A preferred embodiment includes the blocks are releasably held down in the truck bed sockets causing the switch heads to be held down thereby forcing them to interact with switch contacts on the printed printed circuit board. A preferred embodiment includes the blocks to be automatically dumped out at the end of the programmed set of truck movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7018265
    Abstract: An interactive play device, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes means to generate a plurality of interactions, entry control means, means to store responses to interactions and control means to select the next interaction based on memorized responses. One object of this invention is to provide a new class of interactive play devices, which is founded on personalizing a play device so that its current functionality is based on past interactions with a player rather than providing an identical operation or a randomly activated function each time the device is turned “on.” The invention also provides a plurality of toy devices, which operate in a plurality of states that mimic human behavior. A preferred embodiment discloses an interactive doll device, which generates interactions that require responses from the player. The responses are memorized by the doll device and are used to select the next interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
  • Patent number: 6939192
    Abstract: A programmable toy with a receiver for receiving instructions for programming of the toy, and elements for executing received instructions. The toy has a transmitter for transmission of instructions to a second toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Gaute Munch, Jesper Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6926581
    Abstract: A toy vehicle comprising a hinged, three part chassis having a first longitudinal end and a second, opposing longitudinal end and including a central chassis portion with first and second lateral chassis portions pivotally coupled with the central chassis portion on the first and second lateral side, respectively, of the central chassis portion. The first and second lateral chassis portions are coupled so as to pivot with respect to the central chassis portion in a common plane and spring biased against the central portion. Each lateral chassis portion includes a pair of road wheels at least one of which is driven by a reversible motor in that chassis portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: The Obb, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael John Lynders, James Michael Ferro, Noah Luther Kislevitz, Androc Luther Kislevitz, Adam Luther Kislevitz
  • Publication number: 20040198167
    Abstract: A toy car is disclosed. The toy car comprises a circuit testing board, a power source device and a toy-car body with a driving mechanism. The circuit testing board and the power source device are detachably mounted onto the toy car body. The circuit testing board enables the terminals of wire cords to be connected, and the circuit testing board is mounted with electronic components and sensing control elements such as sound, thermals and light sensors to form a control circuit by the user, allowing the toy car to be controlled by various kinds of methods to move forward or to turn in direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Chi Ping Tsao
  • Patent number: 6796873
    Abstract: A toy car is disclosed. The toy car comprises a circuit testing board, a power source device and a toy-car body with a driving mechanism. The circuit testing board and the power source device are detachably mounted onto the toy car body. The circuit testing board enables the terminals of wire cords to be connected, and the circuit testing board is mounted with electronic components and sensing control elements such as sound, thermals and light sensors to form a control circuit by the user, allowing the toy car to be controlled by various kinds of methods to move forward or to turn in direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Chi Ping Tsao
  • Patent number: 6771034
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle having an electronic speed controller adapted to regulate at least one of the timing and rate of application of a selected rotational input. The vehicle includes a body with a seat, a steering mechanism positioned for operation by a child to steer at least one of the vehicle's wheels, and a drive assembly with an actuator positioned for actuation by a child sitting on the seat to cause the driven rotation of at least one of the vehicle's wheels by a battery-powered motor assembly. In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes one or more user input devices that enable a child sitting on the seat to select at least one of the relative speed and direction of the vehicle. The drive assembly also includes an electronic speed controller that controls electronically the transmission of a selected rotational input to the vehicle's driven wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Reile, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6705873
    Abstract: A controller for use with an operated object such as a model vehicle contains therein a memory. The movement of the model vehicle is stored in advance into the memory with each of push buttons in a keyboard unit of the controller. Once a “GO” button is pushed even during a manual operation, a signal to cause to perform the procedure stored in the memory is transmitted from an antenna which is provided in the controller. In this arrangement, the model vehicle can be subject to complicated operations even by an unskilled operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Thermal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Higashida
  • Patent number: 6699097
    Abstract: A timer activated toy that has a “run time” which correlates to the time interval of a user input. The toy may include both a button which can be depressed for a time interval and a switch that can be switched to an on position. The toy may have a motor or electronic sound circuit that is activated when the switch is turned on and a counter that counts to a count value after the button is depressed. The motor is deactivated when the counter reaches the count value. The toy will thus be activated for an interval that corresponds to the time the button is depressed. This correlation simulates filling a “gas tank” of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventors: Elliot Rudell, George T. Foster
  • Patent number: 6663463
    Abstract: A sound activated toy vehicle includes a body, a chassis, and a motor. The chassis accommodates the body and has at least a front wheel and a rear wheel. The motor is drivingly connected to at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel. The toy vehicle also includes a sound transducer configured to generate an electrical signal in response to detected sound. The toy vehicle also includes a controller having an input electrically connected to the sound transducer and an output electrically connected to the motor. The controller changes the output to the motor when the electrical signal is received by the input from the sound transducer. The toy vehicle also includes a vehicle accessory having an exterior portion. The vehicle accessory is mounted for movement between a first position and a second position by mechanical power from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Francis Michael Dougherty, Mary Ellen Gertrude Fosbenner, Robert Jude Henry, Matthew Felix Agostini, Gregory John Sisolak
  • Patent number: 6645037
    Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard which can be activated by a user to set up any one or multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment. The keyboard can also be used to play a game of skill, for instance, shooting at a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Silverlit Toy Manufactory Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
  • Patent number: 6609943
    Abstract: An electronic toy adapted to receive a toy figure comprises a source of electrical power, an integrated circuit chip programmed with pre-recorded sounds, sound reproduction means under the control of the integrated circuit chip, switch means adapted to open or close an electrical circuit to control the flow of electrical power from the source of electrical power to the integrated circuit and sound reproduction means, and trigger means adapted to activate the switch means, such that when the toy figure is placed into contact with the trigger means, the switch means is closed to create an electrical circuit and sounds are generated by the sound reproduction means under the control of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Thinking Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Wai Tai Chan
  • Publication number: 20020111116
    Abstract: A timer activated toy that has a “run time” which correlates to the time interval of a user input. The toy may include both a button which can be depressed for a time interval and a switch that can be switched to an on position. The toy may have a motor or electronic sound circuit that is activated when the switch is turned on and a counter that counts to a count value after the button is depressed. The motor is deactivated when the counter reaches the count value. The toy will thus be activated for an interval that corresponds to the time the button is depressed. This correlation simulates filling a “gas tank” of the toy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Elliot Rudell, George T. Foster
  • Patent number: 6390883
    Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard which can be activated by a user to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment. The toy is also controllable by remote control through a receiver and transmitter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory, Ltd
    Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
  • Patent number: 6354842
    Abstract: A rolling device in the form of a two-wheeled toy can record and play back physical motion. In a “training mode,” the user grasps the device and draws it along a surface on a desired path. The motion is sensed and recorded in an internal memory. In a “playback mode,” the previously imparted motion is repeated—i.e., executed by internal circuitry based on the recorded motion, preferably over and over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Philipp A. Frei
  • Patent number: 6250987
    Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard which can be activated by a user to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
  • Patent number: 6246927
    Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of controllable objects in the storage and execution of instructions related to a performance of n desired actions comprising the steps of: (a) advising the plurality of objects that a first selected object is about to store instructions related to a performance of a first desired action; (b) storing, in the first object, instructions related to the performance of the first desired action; (c) advising the plurality of objects that the storing of the instructions in the first selected object has been completed; (d) preparing the plurality of objects to receive instructions related to a performance of a next desired action; (e) storing, in a next selected object, the instructions related to the performance of the next desired action; (f) advising the plurality of objects that the storing of the instructions in the next selected object has been completed; and (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until instructions related to the performance of said n desired actions have been sto
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph Dratman
  • Patent number: 6083104
    Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item wherein there is a body. There is also a keyboard on an independent cartridge with a microprocessor which can be activated by a user to selectively cooperate with the body and set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights in the body can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment. The keyboard on the cartridge can also be used independently to play a game programmed with the microprocessor in the cartridge, the game being independent of the body. The game can relate to issues of vehicle driving. An alarm clock feature can be included in the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Silverlit Toys (U.S.A.), Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
  • Patent number: 6027395
    Abstract: A self-powered carrier includes a seat within a cockpit and a quartet of rolling wheels each supported by downwardly extending wheel supports. A battery pack and motor drive supported within the carrier are operative in response to a motion sensing switch to activate the drive motor and produce rotational power which is coupled to the front two supporting wheels to move the carrier forward. The seat is pivotally supported within the cockpit and is configured to receive a plush figure straddling the seat and having its legs secured by fabric attachment pads. A timer within the battery power circuit interrupts operation of the motor following each activation and a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: David Strom
  • Patent number: 5908345
    Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard which can be activated by a user to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Silverlit Toys (U.S.A.), Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
  • Patent number: 5830038
    Abstract: This patent disclosure teaches a moving, vehicle toy having a hand operable selector knob that determines the direction of single guide wheel that is steered by the action of a pivotally mounted steering arm that is rotated by means of a lever arm that engages with any one of several cam surfaces of a powered cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Ferenc Fekete, Kai Chung-Ho
  • Patent number: 5803790
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central vertical longitudinal plane at least one road-contacting front wheel coupled to the chassis to rotate about an axis fixed perpendicularly to the central plane and at least a pair of road-contacting rear wheels coupled to the chassis for rotation about a common rear rotational axis perpendicular to the central plane. Separate rear wheels of the pair are located on either lateral side of the chassis in the central plane. One or more motors are provided and coupled with the rear wheels to selectively drive the rear wheels at least simultaneously in either linear direction, forward or rearward, or simultaneously in opposite linear directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Tilbor, Michael G. Hetman, Anthony R. Garr
  • Patent number: 5697829
    Abstract: A control program for a programmable toy (24) is created using a graphic programming system implemented on a personal computer (10). In the preferred embodiment, the programmable toy comprises a vehicle that can be commanded to make turns in 45.degree. increments and to track an infrared source (220). To create the graphic control program, the user simply selects graphic objects from control panel (154) presented on a cartoon-like graphic screen. For example, the user can select a horn graphic object (168) or a headlight graphic object (166) to respectively activate a horn or headlights on the programmable toy. The user creates a graphic control program on a grid (160) using a mouse (23) to select the graphic objects and indicate parameters. Once the graphic control program is completed, it is downloaded from the RS-232 serial port of the personal computer into the programmable toy through a connecting link (25), which is then uncoupled from the programmable toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Devindra S. Chainani, Timothy E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5656907
    Abstract: A control program for a programmable toy (24) is created using a graphic programming system implemented on a personal computer (10). In the preferred embodiment, the programmable toy comprises a vehicle that can be commanded to make turns in 45.degree. increments and to track an infrared source (220). To create the graphic control program, the user simply selects graphic objects from control panel (154) presented on a cartoon-like graphic screen. For example, the user can select a horn graphic object (168) or a headlight graphic object (166) to respectively activate a horn or headlights on the programmable toy. The user creates a graphic control program on a grid (160) using a mouse (23) to select the graphic objects and indicate parameters. Once the graphic control program is completed, it is downloaded from the RS-232 serial port of the personal computer into the programmable toy through a connecting link (25), which is then uncoupled from the programmable toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Devindra S. Chainani, Timothy E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5308276
    Abstract: A toy doll, posable and simulating stances or positions and movements of a skater, dancer or the like. The device includes a torso with arms and leg which may be frictionally pivotably connected to the torso to enable posing the doll in a wide variety of positions. The doll is supported atop a self-propelled base by engagement of a foot or skate, such as an ice skate, roller skate, roller blade or the like, with a platform which forms a portion of the upper surface of the base. The base is supported by a front wheel and by two spaced apart rear wheels. The base is propelled by one rear wheel and steered by a replaceable profile cam-guided front wheel. The platform is rotated along with the doll about an upright axis as the base is propelled over a horizontal surface through a repeated geometric pattern defined by the particular profile cam selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: A. Edward Fogarty, Bonnie R. Fogarty, Joseph F. Skrivan
  • Patent number: 4891995
    Abstract: This invention provides a moveable toy with a trigger control mechanism which has: a main body for defining the toy; a frame disposed within the main body; at least one acting means being able to reserve energy for generating an acting force and having a member for triggering the acting force; and a trigger control means installed in the frame and adapted to reserve energy for generating a rotating force by which the member of the above-mentioned acting means can be actuated and the acting force of the acting means can be triggered and released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Inventor: Weng-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 4755161
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a toy body, with a motor geared down to drive the rear wheels, and a geared annular hub with adjustable multi-directional adjustment devices mounted on the periphery of the geared annular hub, with projections which contact either an upper rod or a lower rod, or neither, during rotation of the annular hub, causing front heels of the toy to turn to the left, right or maintain straight travel respectively. After the upper or lower rod pivots to move a respective spring connected other upper or lower rod respectively, the front wheels are deflected to the left or right in travel, and tension springs fixed between a forward shifting transverse rod and the toy body immediately pull the front wheel turn mechanism back to its original position for continuance of straight line travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventor: Tai-Cheng Yang
  • Patent number: 4743214
    Abstract: A device for controlling the steering and direction of movement of an electrically operated toy vehicle wherein the toy vehicle has a rear axle driven by a gear train from an electric motor and a worm gear on the rear axle engaging a helical gear. The front wheels are connected by a tie rod and are adjustable together from a normal straight line position to an angular position to cause the vehicle to run in a curved path. An adjusting arm on the helical gear presets the angular position of the helical gear in which a reversal of direction will occur and a plurality of such angular positions may be provided. The direct current source or battery for motor power for the unit includes a pair of electromagnets in circuit with the source of electrical current, which is direct current, and with contact members. Energization of one of the electromagnets will, through a link, connection to the tie rod, cause the front wheels to turn in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Yang Tai-Cheng
  • Patent number: 4735593
    Abstract: A programmable wheeled toy having a pair of steerable wheels and a pair of motor driven wheels. The steerable wheels are controlled by a programmable mechanism. The mechanism includes two parallel belts mounted to be driven by the motor. A plurality of shaft members mounted to the belts and each having thereon a slidable roller member manually positionable along the length of the shaft. A lever operatively connected to the steering wheels at one end and having the other end positioned to be contacted by the roller members to cause the lever to pivot and steer the steering wheels, and in turn cause the toy to move in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Goang-wen Lin
  • Patent number: 4702718
    Abstract: A controlled-drive toy including two driving wheels independently driven by driving motors controlled by data carried by a rotary disc. The rotary disc carries white and black data segments forming a pair of data rings to represent a moving pattern for the toy. Photosensors are provided to detect reflections from the white and black segments and to produce signals to energize the driving motors. The rotary disc can be easily replaced so that a different moving pattern can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Kaho Musen Limited
    Inventor: Tsunao Yanase
  • Patent number: 4556397
    Abstract: A toy vehicle utilizes a depressible stunt wheel to elevate the vehicle to perform various tricks. An adjustable nob on the vehicle's chassis permits a user to preselect the distance the vehicle travels before the stunt wheel is automatically depressed. A shaft positionable in various slots in the vehicle's roof permits a user to preselect and fix the angle of the stunt wheel, during depression, relative to the traveling wheel of the vehicle, and the extent to which the stunt wheel is depressed below the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Inventors: Avi Arad, Melvin R. Kennedy, Dietmar Nagel