TOY APPARATUS
The present invention is concerned with a toy apparatus system. The system includes a remote control car unit and a control unit, which are communicable with each other wirelessly, and an external computer connectable with the car unit and/or the control unit for modifying programs for use by the car unit and/or the control unit.
The present invention is concerned with a toy apparatus and in particular a remote control toy vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are a variety of remote control toy apparatus in the market. Remote control toy apparatus has been popular for a long time because a user can earn a sense of control and satisfaction by controlling movement of an object (typically a car) from a distance. Certain skills may be required in controlling the object satisfactorily and the user can take that as a challenge.
Users have become more sophisticated over the years and expectation from toy apparatus or remote control cars has increased. The present invention seeks to provide a toy apparatus which can not only serve as a plaything but also an educational tool. Further, the present invention seeks to provide a toy apparatus that encourages interactivity between the toy apparatus and the user. The present invention also seeks to provide a toy apparatus which allows a user to customize and/or update the toy apparatus after purchase.
The present invention seeks to address these issues, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy apparatus comprising (a) a car unit and a control unit, which are communicable with each other wirelessly, (b) a first memory medium containing one or more files of a first type, the or each of the files containing a first type of instructions for action the car unit can perform, and/or means for receiving and storing one or more files of a second type, the or each of the files containing a second type of instructions for action the car unit can perform, and wherein the toy apparatus is configured to allow downloading of files to and/or uploading files from the first memory medium. The downloading or uploading of modified files or new files to/from the first memory medium allows a user to tailor functionalities of the toy apparatus.
Preferably, the car unit and the control unit may be communicable via digital radio frequency signal.
In one embodiment, the car unit may include a camera and/or a first microphone for collecting video and audio information of surroundings. The control unit may include a display screen configured to display image captured by the camera. The control unit may include a first speaker for broadcasting sound of the surroundings captured by the microphone.
In another embodiment, the car unit may include a second speaker for broadcasting sound of the surroundings.
Preferably, the first memory medium may reside in the car unit. The car unit may be larger in size and may provide more design freedom for accommodating the first memory medium. The first memory medium may be connectable to an external computer by a cable via which files can be downloaded to the first memory medium, uploaded from the first memory medium or modified in the first memory.
The means for receiving and storing the second type of files may reside in the car unit and include a second memory medium, the second memory medium may be in the form of a memory card being removable from the car unit and connectable with an external computer.
The toy apparatus may comprise an inlet for connection with a USB device. The USB device may be an accessory provided with a USB connection for connection with the inlet. Once connected to the car unit, the USB device may be configured to perform a specific action on instructions from the user via the control unit and the car unit.
The control unit may be configured to display options corresponding to instructions of the first and/or second type such that selection of one of the options effects a respective action.
The control unit may be provided with an inlet via which firmware in the control unit can be modified.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control car kit comprising (a) a car unit and (b) a control unit, wherein the car unit and the control unit are communicable with each other wirelessly, wherein the car unit includes (i) a first memory medium containing one or more files of a first type, the or each of the files containing instructions of a first type for action the car can perform, and/or (ii) means for receiving and storing one or more files of a second type, the or each of the files containing instructions of a second type for action the car unit can perform, and wherein the car unit is configured to allow downloading of files to and/or uploading files from the first memory medium.
The kit may comprise a cable for connecting the car unit with an external computer for, for example, modifying the first type of files. The receiving and storing means may include a second memory medium in the form of a memory card removable from the car unit and connectable with an external computer such that files contained therein are modifiable. The car unit may include an inlet for connection with a USB device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy apparatus system, comprising (a) a car unit and a control unit, which are communicable with each other wirelessly, and (b) an external computer connectable with the car unit and/or the control unit for modifying programs for use by the car unit and/or the control unit.
In one embodiment, the external computer may be accessible to a website in the Internet via which programs for use in operation of the car unit and/or the control unit are generated, downloaded, uploaded and/or shared. The toy apparatus system may provide a connection with the external computer by way of a connection cable. Alternatively, the connection with the external computer may be made indirectly using removable memory card as a medium.
Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:—
A first embodiment of the present invention is concerned with a toy apparatus comprising a car unit, generally designated 2, and a control unit, generally designated 4.
It is to be noted that the control unit 4 and the car unit 2 can communicate with each other by digital radio frequency.
In other embodiments of the present invention, a set of standard actions that the toy apparatus can perform is built into the toy apparatus. Specifically, instructions of the standard actions are saved as files or programs in the internal memory of the car unit 2. When both the control unit 4 and the car unit 12 are powered on, the control unit 4 can access to the programming files and a list of the standard actions can be viewed in a menu from the display 38 of the control unit 4. A user on reviewing the list of standard actions can then select which action is desired. In this embodiment, one action that can be selected is the normal remote control of the car unit 2. When this action is desired, the selection “normal mode” can be selected from the list. Once this mode is selected, the user can maneuver the car unit 2 by using the joy sticks 36. Radio frequency corresponding to instructions from the user is transmitted from the antenna 52 of the control unit 4 to the antenna 30 of the car unit 2.
The toy apparatus has video capability. When a user wishes to view what the car unit 2 sees during an exercise, the user can activate the video function by switching on the video function via selection in the menu displayed on the display 38. As described above, the car unit 2 is equipped with the camera 18. The camera 18 serves to capture video image viewed by the camera 18, and signals of captured video image are transmitted from the antenna 30 of the car unit 2 to the antenna 52 of the control unit 4. The captured video image is then displayed real time in the video screen 38 of the control unit 4. This video function is advantageous in that in most conventional remote control cars, a user would have to see the car during a control exercise. In this embodiment, a user can control the car unit 12 to go behind a wall and the user would still be able to see what the car unit 2 sees from the video screen 38 despite the car unit 2 has become out of sight. It is thus envisaged that a user can control the car unit 2 from a distance to approach a target and examine the target at a close distance via the camera 18 and the video screen 38.
The camera 18 is configured to be able to capture image at night time or when the light is very dim. In other words, the camera 18 has night vision. When night vision is needed, a user can select the night vision mode from the menu. Under the night vision mode, image captured by the camera can be seen at the video screen 38 of the control unit 4. It is thus envisaged that a user can control the car unit 2 at night time, approach a target discreetly and then examine the target at a close distance via the camera 18. During night vision, the night vision indicator is on with a red light.
The car unit 12 is configured to take pictures of the surroundings via the camera 18. In either the normal video model or night time video mode, if the user would like to take a picture of a particular scene, it can be done remotely via the control unit 4. In this embodiment, a picture taken can be stored in the external memory. The car unit 4 is also configured to take a video clip via the camera 18. Similarly, in this embodiment, a video clip that has been taken can be stored in the external memory. It is however envisaged that in other embodiments, the toy apparatus may be configured such that pictures or video clips taken can be stored in an alternative memory.
The toy apparatus has an audio capability. As explained above, both the car unit 2 and the control unit 4 are equipped with a speaker and a microphone. The microphone 16 of the car unit 2 can receive sound of the surroundings and signal of the sound received by the microphone 16 of the car unit 2 can be broadcasted via the speaker 22 of the control unit 4. In other words, audio signal is communicated and transmitted from the car unit 2 to the control unit 4. It can thus be understood that during a movement exercise a user can hear what the car unit 2 hear from a distance. It can thus be understood that a user can control the car unit 2 to move close to a person from a distance. The user will then be able to hear the sound from the surroundings of the car unit or conversation of the person.
As described above, in addition to the movement functionality of the toy apparatus it also provides the video and audio functionalities. The following describes further functionalities of the toy apparatus.
Each of the built-in functions is defined and programmed by files stored in the internal memory. The toy apparatus is configured such that these files are modified by the user. This may be done by connecting the car unit 2 to an external computer by using a connection cable. One end of the cable is connected to the internal memory of the car unit 2 while the other end of the cable is connected to the computer. Once connected, the computer can access the files defining the functions.
With regard to the function of Night vision, one of the reasons night vision can be displayed is that the monitor 38 is configured to display different colors of lights according to predetermined parameters in the certain relevant file by default. While the predetermined parameters may be suitable in showing an appropriate contrast of image of the surroundings under night vision, a user can access the relevant file and adjust the parameters (corresponding to the display of different colors, e.g. red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) according to his needs or the particular circumstances.
Accessing the relevant file is conducted by firstly connecting the car unit 2 and an external computer with a connection cable. Modification to the relevant file in the internal memory of the car unit 2 can be performed at the external computer. Alternatively, new files of further functionalities can be transferred from the external computer to the internal memory of the car unit 2. Yet alternatively, new files of new functionalities may be downloaded to the internal memory from an internet website. Further, users can write their own programs for desired functionalities and save these programs as files. Different users can then share these programs.
As described above, the car unit 2 is provided with the memory card slot capable of receiving a memory card. The memory card slot and the memory card provide an alternative way of including modified or new programming files in the car unit 2. Thus, in addition to modifying or receiving programming files in the internal memory of the car unit the memory card slot provides an auxiliary port of storing programming files. Once stored in the memory card slot, functions corresponding to the files can be selected via the control unit 4.
As described above, the car unit 2 is provided with an accessory slot. The accessory slot is provided to allow expansion of functionality. In this particular embodiment, an accessory in the form of an add-on USB is provided. The USB device is USB-connetable with the USB port 28. Specifically, in this embodiment, the USB device is configured to be able to eject a dart. Once the car unit is equipped with the USB device, a user can select this function of ejecting a dart via the control unit, and the user can then remotely control the car unit to eject a dart from a distance.
It should be noted that for clarity purpose conventional technologies are not explained in detail because a skilled person in the art, on reading this description, will understand that these technologies can be used with the teachings of the description. Certain features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations.
Claims
1. A toy apparatus comprising:—
- (a) a car unit and a control unit, which are communicable with each other wirelessly;
- (b)(i) a first memory medium containing one or more files of a first type, the or each said file containing a first type of instructions for action said car can unit perform, and/or (ii) means for receiving and storing one or more files of a second type, the or each said file containing a second type of instructions for action said car unit can perform; and
- wherein said toy apparatus is configured to allow downloading of files to and/or uploading files from said first memory medium.
2. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said car unit and said control unit are communicable via digital radio frequency signal.
3. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said car unit includes a camera and/or a microphone for collecting information of surroundings.
4. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control unit includes a display screen configured to display image captured by said camera.
5. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control unit includes a first speaker for broadcasting sound captured by said microphone.
6. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said car unit includes a second speaker for broadcasting sound.
7. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first memory medium resides in said car unit.
8. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first memory medium is connectable to an external computer by a cable via which files can be downloaded to said first memory medium, uploaded from said first memory medium or modified in said first memory.
9. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving and storing means resides in said car unit and includes a second memory medium, said second memory medium is in the form of a memory card being removable from said car unit and connectable with an external computer.
10. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising an inlet for connection with a USB device.
11. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured to display options corresponding to instructions in the first or second type of instructions such that selection of one of the options effects a respective action.
12. A toy apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit is provided with an inlet via which firmware in said control unit can be modified.
13. A remote control car kit comprising:—
- (a) a car unit;
- (b) a control unit;
- wherein said car unit and said control unit are communicable with each other wirelessly;
- wherein said car unit includes (i) a first memory medium containing one or more files of a first type, the or each said file containing instructions of a first type for action said car can perform, and/or (ii) means for receiving and storing one or more files of a second type, the or each said file containing instructions of a second type for action said car can perform; and
- wherein said car unit is configured to allow downloading of files to and/or uploading files from said first memory medium.
14. A kit as claimed in claim 13, comprising a cable for connecting said car unit with an external computer for modifying the first type of files.
15. A kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said receiving and storing means includes a second memory medium in the form of a memory card removable from said car unit and connectable with an external computer such that files contained therein are modifiable.
16. A kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said car unit includes an inlet for connection with a USB device.
17. A toy apparatus system comprising:—
- (a) a car unit and a control unit, which are communicable with each other wirelessly; and
- (b) an external computer connectable with said car unit and/or said control unit for modifying programs for use by said car unit and/or said control unit.
18. A toy apparatus system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the external computer is accessible to a website in the Internet via which programs for use in operation of said car unit and/or said control unit are generated, downloaded, uploaded and/or shared.
19. A toy apparatus system as claimed in claim 17, wherein connection with the external computer is made directly via a cable.
20. A toy apparatus system as claimed in claim 17, wherein connection with the external computer is made indirectly using removable memory card as a medium.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 8, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2012
Inventor: Danny Grossman (San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 12/900,868
International Classification: A63H 30/00 (20060101);