TOY APPARATUS WITH SIMULATED LCD SCREEN FACE

Abstract

The invention comprises a toy or toy vehicle with an electronic device, including a small portable electronic device, capable of playing audio-visual images to simulate a face, and integrated into the toy or toy vehicle. The electronic device has or is connected to an LCD screen that serves as the face of a toy or toy vehicle so as to simulate the appearance of being alive. Images of live, recorded or pre-recorded talking faces stored on software would play on the LCD screen. The toy can be a simulated head, simulated toy vehicle, doll, toy vehicle, or computer monitor with fasteners for accessories to make the toy look like a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, robot, plant, or thing with living characteristics, such as a clock with hands and feet. The toy vehicle can be a plane, train, automobile, flying saucer, bicycle, tricycle, wagon, bus, truck, etc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part application of patent application Ser. No. 13/252,970 filed on Oct. 4, 2011, the earliest filing date claimed is Oct. 4, 2010. This application also claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/578,782 filed on Dec. 21, 2011.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an entertainment or educational device, and particularly to a combination of realistic art and electronic video. The invention comprises a toy or toy vehicle with an electronic device capable of playing audio-visual images to simulate a face, with the electronic device integrated into the toy or toy vehicle. The electronic device comprises an LCD screen or is connected to an LCD screen, wherein the LCD screen is disposed in the head of a toy, with or without a body, or in a location of a toy vehicle, normally the front, so as to simulate the appearance that the toy or toy vehicle is alive. Images of live, recorded or pre-recorded talking faces would play on the LCD screen. The head, and/or body, of the toy can be that of a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, robot, plant, or thing with living characteristics. The toy vehicle can be a plane, train, automobile, flying saucer, bicycle, tricycle, wagon, bus, truck, etc.

One embodiment is a simulated head or a simulated toy vehicle on a stand. The simulated head or simulated toy vehicle acts as a housing for the electronic device with the LCD screen. The simulated head or simulated toy vehicle would have an indentation for the LCD screen to serve as a face, and the LCD screen would display images of a face of a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, plant, or any other living thing. The images of a face are controlled by software for storing, recording, and playing audio-visual images of live, recorded or pre-recorded faces. The electronic device can be a small portable electronic device detachably attached or permanently attached to the simulated head or simulated toy vehicle. A second embodiment would be a computer monitor resembling a head of a living thing with fasteners for attaching various physical accessories of a head of a living thing, such as a wig, hat, goatee, horns, fins, petals, jewelry, etc, or a computer monitor resembling a vehicle with fasteners for attaching physical accessories of a vehicle, such as decals, sirens, flashing lights, antennas, etc. A third embodiment would be a doll, including a stuffed animal, with an LCD screen permanently attached or detachably attached to a head of a doll, or a toy vehicle with an LCD screen permanently attached or detachably attached to the front of the toy vehicle.

Small portable electronic devices that play video and audio are known. These include digital picture frames, mp3 players, clocks, cell phones, etc. There exist various electronic devices that attempt to personalize the electronic device. For example, US Publication No. US 2008/0167099 A1 in the name of Liu is a mobile device having a skin with an enameled metal structure that creates a China-chic beauty and feel. Also, U.S. Publication No. 2009/0322982 A 1 by Finnegan transforms an LCD display into a digital picture frame in which an LCD display screen having various stored images is encased in a plastic or wooden frame made to resemble a printed picture frame. Thus, whether or not small portable devices contain stored or internet-based content, attempts have been made to personalize these devices.

Also known are artificial talking subjects, including dolls and robots, computer generated images of people or animals, cartoons, etc. However, these talking subjects are limited to the physical dimensions with which they were constructed, or are confined to a display screen. None of these artificial talking subjects incorporate both the physical dimensions of a talking subject with a display screen. In particular, none of these incorporate a display screen with an audio-visual playback of a face onto the head of the toy or the front of a toy vehicle so as to create the appearance that the toy or toy vehicle is alive.

Also, known are video dolls with a video camera including a display screen, or a video camera in the shape of a doll. Included in these are nanny cams comprised of a hidden video camera in stuffed animals. Also included are video cameras in the shape of dolls having LCD display screens. For example, US 2009/0197504 A1 filed by Hsu teaches a doll with an LCD screen in the body of the doll while a Barbie doll exists with an LCD screen in the back of the Barbie doll. See http://www.barbie.com/videogirl/ (attached). However, these inventions are limited in that the doll's faces do not change. This is because the images that appear on the LCD screen were not intended to depict talking faces in such a manner that it would appear that the talking face is that of the doll or mechanical/electrical device or model thereof.

Also known are static train toy sets. Toy trains currently are mechanical and/or electrical devices which serve as static working models of real trains with no face or personality. Some toy trains have an audio system but not an LCD face.

Thus, the personality of the doll or toy vehicle does not change, nor can a user pretend that they are holding a doll or toy vehicle of the person or personality appearing on the LCD screen. With the present invention, a child left alone at home can pretend that her mother is with her by playing a live, or recorded audio-video image of her mother's face on the face of her doll or toy vehicle.

Finally, a computerized system for designing a pattern to be applied to a doll or toy is known. See US 2006/0286512 A1 to Cogliano. Here, while the clothing patterns may change, the personality of the doll remains the same because the face or voice does not change. Having the LCD screen built into the face of the doll, as well as having an array of pre-recorded or live faces to choose from, including cartoon characters, provides a lot more versatility with a doll because the doll can take on any personality that appears on the screen.

Thus, the objective of the present invention is to merge an electronic audio-video playback device, such as a small portable electronic device, wherein an LCD display is integrated within a head of a toy, with or without a body, or in a location of a toy vehicle, such as the front, in order to more personalize electronic devices, as well as to add more versatility and fun to toys and toy vehicles. The combination thereof of an integrated electronic video-audio face in a toy or toy vehicle offers a myriad of opportunities for entertainment or education in a far more realistic and engrossing manner than utilization of a doll or an LCD screen individually.

While the invention contemplates a toy with a head or a toy vehicle, it is conceivable that the toy can be a clock, washing machine, laundry machine, agricultural machine, and other inanimate objects. The new invention will have numerous advantageous uses whether as a clock, toy, information device, comedy device, personal toy, educational device, entertainment device or celebrity simulation device, including interactive capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a toy or toy vehicle with an electronic device, such as a small portable electronic device, capable of playing audio-visual images to simulate a face, with the electronic device integrated into the toy or toy vehicle. The electronic device comprises an LCD screen or is connected to an LCD screen, wherein the LCD screen is disposed in the head of a toy, or in a location of a toy vehicle, normally the front, so as to simulate the appearance that the toy or toy vehicle is alive. Images of live, recorded or pre-recorded talking faces would play on the LCD screen. The head, and/or body, of the toy can be that of a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, robot, plant, or thing with living characteristics, such as a clock with hands and feet. The toy vehicle can be a plane, train, automobile, flying saucer, bicycle, tricycle, wagon, bus, truck, etc.

One embodiment is a simulated head or a simulated toy vehicle on a stand. The simulated head or simulated toy vehicle acts as a housing for the electronic device with the LCD screen. The simulated head or simulated toy vehicle would have an indentation for the LCD screen to serve as a face, and the LCD screen would display images of a face of a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, plant, robot, or other thing with living characteristics. The images of a face are controlled by software for storing, recording, and playing audio-visual images of live, recorded or pre-recorded faces. The electronic device can be a small portable electronic device detachably attached or permanently attached to the simulated head or simulated toy vehicle.

A second embodiment would be a computer monitor resembling a head of a living thing with fasteners for attaching various physical accessories of a head of a living thing, such as a wig, hat, goatee, horns, fins, petals, jewelry, etc, Alternatively, the computer monitor may resemble a vehicle with fasteners for attaching physical accessories of a vehicle, such as decals, sirens, flashing lights, antennas, landing gear, etc.

A third embodiment would be a doll, including a stuffed animal, with an LCD screen permanently attached or detachably attached to a head of a doll, or a toy vehicle with an LCD screen permanently attached or detachably attached to the front of the toy vehicle.

In all three embodiments, a user may select from a variety of facial images using software for recording, storing, and displaying live, recorded and pre-recorded images of faces. Also, in all three embodiments, permanently attached or detachably attached accessories resembling physical characteristics of a living thing or of a vehicle are available to the user to more personalize the simulated head apparatus. Toys may be construed broadly to include toy clocks, washing machine, laundry machine, agricultural machine, and other inanimate objects

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simulated head of the first embodiment showing a portable electronic device inserted into a simulated head apparatus atop a display stand.

FIG. 2A shows the simulated head with ears and an indentation where a face would normally appear. FIG. 2B shows a portable electronic device with an LCD display that inserts into the simulated head, and a frame with artwork showing earrings. FIG. 2C shows the simulated head with a wig accessory.

FIG. 3 shows an example of software that operates to allow a user to upload, select, and play audio-visual images of faces of individuals, animals, or cartoons on an electronic device with an LCD screen. Internet capability including wireless capability is also feasible.

FIG. 4A shows a doll with an indentation in the head of the doll, but no portable electronic device inserted. FIG. 4B shows the doll with the portable electronic device inserted.

FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a doll and stuffed animal connected together, each having an indentation in the head of the doll and stuffed animal, for insertion of two portable electronic devices featuring different faces.

FIG. 6 shows a toy plane vehicle with an electronic device having an LCD display inserted in the front of the plane and showing a cartoon face.

FIGS. 7A and 7B shows the toy plane with a detachable portable electronic device inserted into an indentation in the front of the toy plane vehicle.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows a toy car with an electronic device having an LCD display showing a cartoon face, as well as accessories for a car, namely, flashing lights and a decal.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C shows a toy train vehicle with decals on the side and back, and an electronic device with a frame with artwork featuring earrings.

FIG. 10 shows a computer monitor in the shape of a head with fasteners for attaching physical characteristics of a living thing, with hat, earrings, and goatee accessories.

FIG. 11 is diagram of a doll showing an LCD screen integrated into the head of the doll and electronic components embedded in the body.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a toy train showing electronic components embedded in the toy train. The LCD screen is not shown.

REFERENCES

100 inventive apparatus
200 simulated head or simulated toy vehicle
300 electronic device
350 LCD screen
400 toy doll
450 toy vehicle
500 accessory
600 indentation
700 frame
800 artwork
900 display stand
1000 front
1100 computer monitor
1200 electronic components

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the inventive apparatus 100 which is a toy comprised of a simulated head 200 with ears and a portable electronic device 300 inserted into the head so that the LCD screen 350 appears where the face of the simulated head 200 would appear. The simulated head is supported by a display stand 400. FIG. 1 shows an accessory 500 in the form of a wig attached to the simulated head 200. The simulated head can be that of a person, doll, toy figure, or anything with living characteristics. The simulated head may also take the form of a toy vehicle wherein wings would appear in the place of ears. It may also take the shape of a clock with hands and feet. For the purposes of disclosing the best embodiment of the invention, examples of a toy doll or toy vehicle are used, but “toy” may be construed to include anything that a child can play with that could conceivably have a face (e.g., washing machine, microwave oven, agricultural machinery, etc.).

FIG. 2A shows the simulated head 200 with an accessory 500 in the form of an ear, wherein the portable electronic device 300 (FIG. 2B) is detached and an indentation 600 in the simulated head is visible. The indentations should comprise dimensions sufficient to accommodate an electronic device, especially a small portable electronic device, for playing audio-visual images. The ears may permanently form part of the simulated head or may be an accessory 500 that is attachable and detachable. If FIG. 2A showed a simulated toy vehicle, the ears may be wings instead. FIG. 2B shows a portable electronic device 300 within a frame 700 to assist in attaching the portable electronic device 300 to the simulated head 200. The frame may contain artwork 800 in the form of ears and earrings, scales, fur, headlights, antennas, and other accessories. FIG. 2C shows the simulated head with a wig accessory 500.

FIG. 3 is an example of a software screen which a user may use to select a face to display on the LCD screen 250. An image of a live, recorded or pre-recorded face appears on the LCD display screen of the portable electronic device 300. The live, recorded or pre-recorded face can be taken from a video recorded by a user and/or downloaded from software containing video files of different subjects, including persons, animals, and cartoons. The software is capable of storing, recording, and displaying video files of different subjects, including persons, animals, and cartoons.

FIGS. 4A to 9C shows a second embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B shows a toy in the form of a large toy doll 400. FIGS. 4A and 4B show accessories 500 in the form of a hat and wig. Other accessories 500 can include ears, hair, antennas, beard, goatee, headwear, protective headwear, a mane, horns, halo, gills, fins, neck frills, or earrings and jewelry.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a toy doll 400 comprised of a horse and girl connected together. In this case, two faces appear for the girl and the horse, wherein two indentations 600 must be present and two portable electronic devices 300 with LCD screens 350 are required.

FIG. 6 shows a toy vehicle 450 in the form of a plane with an electronic device 300 having an LCD display 350 inserted in the front of the plane and showing a cartoon face. Accessories 500 such as different types of landing gear or wings are either permanently attached or detachably attached. The electronic device 300 may also be permanently attached or detachably attached.

FIGS. 7A and 7B shows the toy vehicle 450 in the form of a plane with a detachable portable electronic device 300 inserted into an indentation in the front of the toy vehicle 450.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows a toy vehicle 450 in the form of a car with an electronic device 300 having an LCD screen 350 showing a cartoon face, as well as accessories 500 for a car, namely, flashing lights and a decal. The front 1000 of the toy vehicle is where the LCD screen 350 or electronic device 300 with LCD screen 350 would normally appear.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C shows a toy vehicle 450 in the form of a train with accessories 500 in the form of decals on the side and back, and an electronic device 300 with a frame 700 for attaching the electronic device 300 to the toy vehicle 450. The frame 700 also depicts artwork 800 featuring earrings.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the inventive apparatus 100 in the form of a computer monitor 1100 with fasteners for attaching various accessories 500. The fasteners (not shown) may be hook and loop type fasteners. The accessories 500 depicted include a hat and a goatee. A detachable and attachable frame 700 is used to depict different types of ears or jewelry accessories. The stand 900 naturally depicts a neck.

FIG. 11 shows how electronic components 1200 may be housed in a toy doll 400. The LCD screen 350 is disposed in the head of the doll where the face would normally appear, while the electronic components, including a video card, printed circuits, wires, and batteries, are integrated into the body of the doll. The electronic components may include a wireless connectivity device or a USB port in the body of the doll which allows a user to download various images of faces stored in software capable of storing, recording, and displaying video images of different subjects, including persons, animals, and cartoons.

FIG. 12 shows how electronic components 1200 may be housed in a toy vehicle 450.

Claims

1. A toy or toy vehicle, with at least one indentation in at least one head of said toy or in at least one location of said toy vehicle, for insertion of at least one electronic device, wherein

the toy resembles a person, animal, cartoon character, insect, dinosaur, plant, or any other living thing, with or without a body; said toy further comprises permanently or detachably attached accessories resembling physical characteristics of a head including ears, earrings, hair, antennas, beard, goatee, headwear, a mane, horns, or a halo;

the toy vehicle includes a plane, train, automobile, flying saucer, bicycle, tricycle, wagon, bus, or truck; said toy vehicle further comprising permanently attached or detachably attached accessories resembling physical characteristics of a toy vehicle, including sirens, flashing lights, decals, landing gear, or antennas; and

the at least one electronic device is capable of playing audio-visual images and comprises, or is connected to, an LCD screen and computer software for storing, recording, and playing audio-visual images of live, recorded or pre-recorded faces, including faces of persons, animals, and cartoon characters.

2. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device is a small portable electronic device removable from the toy or toy vehicle.

3. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device further comprises a frame to assist in attaching said at least one electronic device to said toy or toy vehicle.

4. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 3, wherein said frame depicts artwork resembling physical characteristics of a head, head accessories, or physical characteristics of a toy vehicle.

5. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein said toy is a simulated head or simulated toy vehicle supported by a display stand, with fasteners for said accessories resembling physical characteristics of a head or physical characteristics of a toy vehicle.

6. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 5, wherein said simulated head or simulated toy vehicle supported by a stand further comprises a frame depicting artwork resembling said physical characteristics of a head or physical characteristics of a toy vehicle.

7. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein said toy is a doll, stuffed animal, machine, rock, plant, or any object that can embody a face which a child can play with, or a combination of both, or combination of toy and toy vehicle.

8. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein said toy or toy vehicle is a computer monitor with fasteners for attaching the accessories resembling physical characteristics of a head or the accessories resembling physical characteristics of a toy vehicle.

9. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 8, wherein the computer monitor further comprises a frame depicting artwork resembling said physical characteristics of a head or physical characteristics of a toy vehicle.

10. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one indentation is disposed in a front side of said toy vehicle.

11. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising electronic components housed within said toy or toy vehicle for operation of said electronic device.

12. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 11, wherein said electronic components includes a video card, printed circuits, wires, batteries, a wireless connectivity device or a USB port.

13. The toy or toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein said toy or toy vehicle is connected to at least one other toy or toy vehicle.