U.S. patent application number 11/419935 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for electronic water propelling toy system.
Invention is credited to Shane Dyer, Robert von Goeben.
Application Number | 20070284391 11/419935 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820875 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070284391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
von Goeben; Robert ; et
al. |
December 13, 2007 |
ELECTRONIC WATER PROPELLING TOY SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel toy system
incorporating electronic triggering mechanisms to propel water.
Inventors: |
von Goeben; Robert; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Dyer; Shane; (Mountain View,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT VON GOEBEN
915 COLE STREET, SUITE 283
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94117
US
|
Family ID: |
38820875 |
Appl. No.: |
11/419935 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 23/10 20130101;
F41B 9/0031 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/78 |
International
Class: |
F41B 9/00 20060101
F41B009/00 |
Claims
1. A system for an electronic water propelling toy system,
comprising: a water pump; a controller, the controller coupled to
the water pump; a sensor coupled to the controller, the sensor
configured to send electronic signals to the controller;
2. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: an ON/OFF button coupled to the
controller, the ON/OFF button activating and deactivating the
controller; a display coupled to the controller, the display
providing information about the status of the system;
3. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: a water hose coupled to the water
pump; a water nozzle coupled to the water hose, the water nozzle
configured to control the emission of water;
4. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: a second water hose coupled to the
water pump; a water reservoir coupled to the second water hose, the
water pump configured to draw water from the water reservoir via
the second water hose;
5. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: an antenna, the antenna configured to
receive electronic signals; a receiver coupled to the controller
and the antenna, the receiver configured to receive digital signals
from the antenna, the receiver configured to send digital signals
to the controller;
6. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 5, further comprising: a remote control, the remote control
configured to send electronic signals to the antenna;
7. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing
designed to contain the components of the system; a set of wheels,
the device housing connected to the wheels;
8. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing
designed to contain the components of the system; a hull, the
device housing connected to the hull;
9. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 1, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing
designed to contain the components of the system; a flying
apparatus, the flying apparatus consisting of a wings and a
propeller, the device housing connected to the flying
apparatus;
10. A system for an electronic water propelling toy system,
comprising: a water pump; a controller, the controller coupled to
the water pump; an antenna, the antenna configured to receive
electronic signals; a receiver coupled to the controller and the
antenna, the receiver configured to receive digital signals from
the antenna, the receiver configured to send digital signals to the
controller;
11. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: a remote control, the remote control
configured to send electronic signals to the antenna;
12. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: an ON/OFF button coupled to the
controller, the ON/OFF button activating and deactivating the
controller; a display coupled to the controller, the display
providing information about the status of the system;
13. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: a water hose coupled to the water
pump; a water nozzle coupled to the water hose, the water nozzle
configured to control the emission of water;
14. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: a second water hose coupled to the
water pump; a water reservoir coupled to the second water hose, the
water pump configured to draw water from the water reservoir via
the second water hose;
15. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing
designed to contain the components of the system; a set of wheels,
the device housing connected to the wheels;
16. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing
designed to contain the components of the system; a hull, the
device housing connected to the hull;
17. The system for an electronic water propelling toy system of
claim 10, further comprising: a device housing, the device housing
designed to contain the components of the system; a flying
apparatus, the flying apparatus consisting of a wings and a
propeller, the device housing connected to the flying apparatus;
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a novel toy system
incorporating electronic triggering mechanisms to propel water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Water toys, and specifically water spraying toys, have
existed for a very long time. From the days of the first squirt gun
to today's more elaborate air-pump water canons, children and
adults universally find amusement in the ability to douse other
people with water. One major element in the appeal of water toys is
the element of surprise. The ability to propel water at someone
when they least expect it has always been a fun play pattern.
[0003] However, many water propelling toy systems have worked by
manual pumping methods, such as the aforementioned squirt gun or
the time-honored "squirting flower" in one's lapel. Lately, an
entire generation of electronic controller, radio frequency (RF)
and sensor technologies make possible a novel new approach to water
propelling toy systems.
[0004] The present invention uses electronic triggering mechanisms
to activate a water pump that propels water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of one embodiment of the
electronic water propelling toy system.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of another embodiment of the
electronic water propelling toy system.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a component view of one embodiment of the
electronic water propelling toy system.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of
the electronic water propelling toy system.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of
the electronic water propelling toy system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth such as examples of components, system configurations,
and variations of the use and appearance of the invention in order
to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It
will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these
specific details need not be employed to practice the present
invention. In other instances, well known components or methods
have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of one embodiment of an electronic
water propelling toy system. The electronic water propelling toy
system 100 includes device housing 110, water hose 120, water
reservoir 130, water nozzle 140, sensor 150, ON/OFF button 160 and
display 170. The device housing 110 is the external case for the
system. The water hose 120 is connected to the device housing 110
and is used to transport water from the water reservoir 130 to the
components inside device housing 110. The water nozzle 140 is
connected to the device housing 110 and is the output through which
water is propelled from the system. The sensor 150 is attached to
the device housing device 100. The ON/OFF button 160 and the
display 170 are mounted on the device housing 110. Conventional
buttons and LEDs are well known to those of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0013] It should be noted, however, that this description of the
water propelling system 100 is only for illustrative purposes and
is not meant to be limited to this configuration. In an alternative
embodiment, the water reservoir 130 may not be a separate component
and may be incorporated on or in the device housing 110, or there
may be no water reservoir used in the system and the water hose 120
may carry water from another water source, such as a faucet, tub,
pool, etc. In another alternative embodiment, there may be no water
hose 120 or water nozzle 140, and water may be propelled directly
out of the water pump. In another alternative embodiment, the
sensor 150 may not be mounted to the device housing 100 and may be
connected to the housing via a connecting wire, or may not be
connected to the device housing at all and communicate with the
system wirelessly using technologies such as, but not limited to,
RF, infrared, or other electromagnetic signals known in the art. In
another alternative embodiment, the water nozzle 140 may not be
connected directly to the device housing 110 and may have an
external connecting hose whereby the direction and intensity of the
water propulsion may be directed either manually or via electronic
means. In another alternative embodiment, the device housing 110
may enable the system to be mobile, and may be connected to wheels
for land-base mobility functionality, or may be connected to a hull
to and enable the unit to float in water, or be connected to wings
and/or propellers and enable the unit to fly in the air.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of another embodiment of the
electronic water propelling toy system. FIG. 2 further illustrates
an antenna 210 and a remote control 220. The antenna 210 is
connected to the electronic circuitry inside the device housing 110
and receives digital signals from remote control 220 that control
the operation of the water propelling system. These signals could
include, but are not limited to, activation and deactivating the
sensor 150, activating the release of water from the system, etc.
The remote control 220 may use a variety of different technologies
to send digital signals to antenna 210 including, but not limited
to, radio frequency (RF), infrared, or other electromagnetic
signals known in the art.
[0015] It should be noted, however, that this illustration of
remote control 220 is only for illustrative purposes and is not
meant to be limited to this configuration. In alternative
embodiments, the remote control may have more or less buttons, or
may be of a different shape, etc. It should also be noted, however,
that this illustration and description of antenna 210 is only for
illustrative purposes and is not meant to be limited to this
configuration. In alternative embodiments, the entire antenna 210
may be mounted onto the surface of, or inside, the device housing
110.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a component view of one embodiment of the
electronic water propelling toy system. The water propelling system
300 includes ON/OFF switch 160, display 170, controller 310, water
pump 320, water reservoir 130, water nozzle 140, water hoses 120
and 330, sensor 150 and battery and power regulation 340. The
sensor 150 is connected to the controller 310. When the sensor 150
is triggered by a person, animal or object moving in front of it,
the sensor 150 sends an electronic signal to the controller 310.
The sensor 150 may detect different data including, but not limited
to, motion, different types or brightness of light, sound,
reflected beam, laser trip wire, ultra sonic, heat, etc.
[0017] The water pump 320 is connected to the controller 310. When
the controller 310 receives a signal from the sensor 150, the
controller 310 sends an electronic signal to the water pump 320,
which then draws water from the water reservoir 130 through water
hose 120, and pumps the water through water hose 330 to water
nozzle 140, which then propels the water from the system.
[0018] The ON/OFF switch 160 allows the user to power the system on
and off, and the display 170 provides information about the status
of the system. The display 170 may utilize a variety of
technologies including, but not limited to, simple LED indicators,
LCD or LED alpha-numeric text displays, etc. Conventional buttons
and displays are well known to those of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0019] It should be noted, however, that this description of the
water propelling system 300 is only for illustrative purposes and
is not meant to be limited to this configuration. In an alternative
embodiment, the sensor 150 may not be connected directly to the
controller 310, and may communicate to the controller 310
wirelessly using technologies such as, but not limited to, radio
frequency (RF), infrared, or other electromagnetic signals known in
the art.
[0020] It should also be noted that the components of electronic
water propelling toy system 300 may be coupled in other
configurations known in the art.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of
the electronic water propelling toy system. In addition to the
components described in FIG. 3 of the previous embodiment, the
water propelling system 400 includes receiver 410 and antenna 210.
In one embodiment, the antenna 210 may be a common omni-directional
antenna. Alternatively, other antenna technologies known in the art
may be used.
[0022] The antenna 210 receives electronic signals from external
systems including, but not limited to, remote control 220, other
remote controls, or other computing devices such as, but not
limited to, a personal desktop computer, a portable computer
system, (i.e. a laptop or notebook style computer), a storage
device or system, a video game console or system, a hand-held
device, email account, or other service or system. The electronic
signals received may utilize technologies including, but not
limited to, radio frequency (RF), infrared, or other
electromagnetic signals known in the art. The antenna 210 may
receive signals that control various functions of the system
including, but not limited to, powering the system on and off,
turning the sensor 150 on and off, controlling the motion of the
device housing should it be mobile (on wheels or floating on
water), controlling the direction and function of the water nozzle
140, etc.
[0023] The receiver 410 is connected to antenna 210 and receives
signals from the antenna 210. Receiver 410 is connected to
controller 310 and send an electronic signal to the controller 310
when it receives a signal from antenna 210. When the controller 310
receives a signal from the receiver 410, the controller 310 sends
an electronic signal to the water pump 320, which then draws water
from the water reservoir 130 through water hose 120, and pumps the
water through water hose 330 to water nozzle 140, which then
propels the water from the system.
[0024] It should be noted that the components of electronic water
propelling toy system 400 may be coupled in other configurations
known in the art.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a component view of another embodiment of
the electronic water propelling toy system. The water propelling
system 500 includes antenna 210 together with sensor 150 and
receiver 410. Both sensor 150 and receiver 410 are connected to
controller 310. The controller may receive electronic signals from
the sensor 150 and/or the receiver 410 in different configurations
including, but not limited to, simultaneously, serially, according
to user input, or according to preprogrammed instructions such as
time, number of signals received from each component, etc.
[0026] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *