U.S. patent application number 12/014045 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for interactive doll.
Invention is credited to Laura Zebersky.
Application Number | 20080176481 12/014045 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641711 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zebersky; Laura |
July 24, 2008 |
Interactive Doll
Abstract
A baby doll has a head, a body, and a display on the surface of
the body. The display controllably displays a plurality of
different images. Each image depicts an action to be taken with the
baby doll. A plurality of sensors are located in the head or body.
The sensors detect when a depicted action is taken with the baby
doll, and the subsequent display or sounds of the baby doll depends
on whether or not the sensors sense that the action depicted by the
image displayed on the display is taken within a period of time
after the image is displayed on the display.
Inventors: |
Zebersky; Laura; (Sunrise,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LACKENBACH SIEGEL, LLP
LACKENBACH SIEGEL BUILDING, 1 CHASE ROAD
SCARSDALE
NY
10583
US
|
Family ID: |
39641711 |
Appl. No.: |
12/014045 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60884840 |
Jan 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/297 ;
446/391 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/36 20130101; A63H
3/28 20130101; A63H 2200/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/297 ;
446/391 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/28 20060101
A63H003/28; A63H 3/36 20060101 A63H003/36 |
Claims
1. A baby doll comprising: a head, a body, a display on the surface
of the body, the display controllably displaying a plurality of
different images, each one of said images depicting an action to be
taken with the baby doll; a speaker controllably producing sounds;
and a plurality of sensors located in the head or body, said
sensors detecting when a depicted action is taken with the baby
doll, the subsequent display or sounds of the baby doll depending
on whether or not one of said plurality of sensors senses that an
action depicted by an image displayed on said display is taken
within a period of time after said image is displayed on said
display.
2. The baby doll recited in claim 1, wherein the display is shaped
like a heart and located at the heart on the body.
3. The baby doll recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
sensors include at least one contact sensor which senses when an
object associated with a depicted action comes into contact with
the baby doll.
4. The baby doll recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one
contact sensor comprises a reed switch and the object associated
with the depicted action includes a magnet.
5. The baby doll recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one
contact sensor is located in a hand of the baby doll and the object
is a toy.
6. The baby doll recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one
contact sensor is located in the head, near the mouth of said baby
doll, and the object is a bottle.
7. The baby doll recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one
contact sensor is located near the baby's bottom, and the object is
a diaper.
8. The baby doll recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
sensors include a sensor which detects sound and a sensor which
detects light.
9. The baby doll recited in claim 1, wherein the amount of time is
predetermined.
10. The baby doll recited in claim 1, wherein, if the action
depicted by an image displayed on said display is not taken within
a period of time after said image is displayed on said display,
then the speaker produces a crying sound and the baby doll goes
into sleep mode.
11. The baby doll recited in claim 1, wherein the doll further
includes a plurality of buttons associated the play routine of the
baby doll.
12. The baby doll recited in claim 11, wherein one of said
plurality of buttons, when selected, bypasses a depicted action
displayed on the display.
13. A baby doll kit comprising: a baby doll, said baby doll having,
a body, a display on the surface of the body, the display
controllably displaying a plurality of different images, each one
of said images depicting an action to be taken with the baby doll,
and at least one contact sensor located in the head or body; and at
least one object associated with the baby doll and with the action
depicted by the image displayed on said display of said baby doll,
said at least one contact sensor detecting when said at least one
object comes into contact with a part of the baby doll near said at
least one contact sensor, wherein the baby doll makes a display or
sound depending on whether or not said at least one object comes
into contact with a part of the baby doll near said at least one
sensor within a period of time after said image is displayed on
said display.
14. The baby doll kit recited in claim 13, wherein said at least
one contact sensor comprises a reed switch and the object
associated with the depicted action includes a magnet.
15. The baby doll kit recited in claim 14, wherein said at least
one contact sensor is located in a hand of the baby doll and the
object is a toy.
16. The baby doll kit recited in claim 14, wherein said at least
one contact sensor is located in the head, near the mouth of said
baby doll, and the object is a bottle.
17. The baby doll kit recited in claim 14, wherein said at least
one contact sensor is located near the baby's bottom, and the
object is a diaper.
18. The baby doll kit recited in claim 13, wherein the amount of
time is predetermined.
19. The baby doll kit recited in claim 13, wherein, if the action
depicted by an image displayed on said display is not taken within
a period of time after said image is displayed on said display,
then the baby doll produces a crying sound and then goes into sleep
mode.
20. A software program recorded on a tangible medium, said software
program, when executed by a processing element, causing a baby doll
to operate a game play routine, said game play routine comprising:
displaying a plurality of different images on a display of said
baby doll, each one of said plurality of different images depicting
one of a respectively corresponding plurality of actions to be
taken with the baby doll; sensing whether the plurality of depicted
actions are taken with the baby doll; making a display or sound
after each respective image is displayed depending on whether or
not the respectively corresponding action is taken with the baby
doll within a period of time after said respective image is
displayed on said display.
21. The software program recited in claim 20, wherein said tangible
medium is a memory removable from said baby doll.
22. The software program recited in claim 21, wherein the amount of
time is predetermined by the software program.
23. The software program recited in claim 20, wherein, if the
action depicted by an image displayed on said display is not taken
within the period of time after said image is displayed on said
display, then the software program causes a speaker of the baby
doll to produce a crying sound and then the baby doll goes into a
sleep mode.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/884,840 filed on Jan. 12, 2007,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to dolls. More specifically,
the present invention relates to dolls with electronics that
provide for human interaction when playing with the doll.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] Dolls provide enjoyment for boys and girls. The Baby Needs
Me doll from Kenner included a watch for the user of a baby doll.
When the user pressed the button on the watch, it beeped and showed
what the baby doll needed. The user was then to play along, and
then provide the baby doll what it needed (e.g., a diaper change, a
bottle, etc.). However, the interaction was merely prompted and
whether it was performed or not was without consequence and
realistic interaction.
[0006] It has become popular to include electronics and other parts
in dolls that provide or mimic interaction between the doll and a
boy or girl playing with the doll. Perhaps the most popular example
of such an interactive doll was the Tickle Me Elmo doll. The
popular Toddler Tabitha doll from MGA Entertainment had voice
interaction, feeding and crawling/walking. The user needed to
follow voice cues for the doll, and the user needed to be
relatively older than an infant.
[0007] But it can be expensive or difficult to provide realistic
interaction in dolls. Other more simple methods of interaction
would be desirable. The interaction with simple games, such as
Tamagotchi, is simple and simulates the nurturing and development
of a simulated character. However, Tamagotchi games are encased in
pocket sized plastic cases, similar to handheld LCD games, and so
do not directly represent or mimic the baby doll or other character
being nurtured.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] The preferred embodiments of the invention are in the form
of a doll as an interactive baby character with a display screen
located on the chest. The display screen preferably is depicted as
the heart of the baby. The doll includes multiple sensors for
light, sound, and basic buttons for interaction. The doll may also
include sensors which sense when objects come into contact with the
baby doll.
[0009] The game play consists of the display screen displaying a
desired input action on the display screen heart of the baby doll,
and the user providing the displayed input. If the user fails to
provide the desired input within a short amount of time, the doll
will respond. For example, the doll will cry and then eventually go
to sleep. The doll interacts with several matched accessories, such
as a bottle, rattle, and blanket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baby doll with an
integrated display depicted as a heart according to a first
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the display screen and
nearby buttons of the baby doll in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cutaway view showing the location of sensors of
the baby doll in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIGS. 4A-4K are exemplary images depicted actions to be
taken with the baby doll that may be displayed on the display
screen in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5A-5K are flowcharts showing an exemplary sequence of
interactions of a human with a baby doll which may be implemented
in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to several aspects of
preferred embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. The words "connect," "couple," and similar
terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote
direct and immediate connections, but also include connections
through mediate elements or devices.
[0017] The preferred embodiments of the invention involve a baby
doll 100 that directs a child to various caretaking
responsibilities as shown in FIG. 1. However, in other embodiments,
the doll may represent other characters such as a teddy bear, dog,
cat or other pet.
[0018] The various caretaking responsibilities of the preferred
embodiments include feeding, burping, playing with a rattle or
other toy, changing the baby's diaper, singing a lullaby, etc.,
although other actions can also be implemented. There may be over a
dozen different functions so as to provide a good imitation of a
baby. Additional activities may be child games such a Pat A Cake,
Itsy bitsy Spider and Peek A Boo.
[0019] The baby doll 100 of the preferred embodiments may of any
general construction. For example, the head, hands and feet of the
baby doll may be made of PVC or other material, while the body of
the baby is of an appropriate soft material and includes exterior
clothing.
[0020] A display device 110 is provided in the body of the baby
doll as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It includes a display element 111,
such as a liquid crystal display, built into the body of the baby
doll. The display device 110 preferably includes a heart shaped
display or presents a heart shaped visual effect, such as by
providing a heart-shaped plate 112 surrounding a rectangular
display element 111. The display element 111 need not be a liquid
crystal display and may be any suitable type of display element.
There may also be two tactile switches SW1 and SW2 (which may take
the forms of rubber buttons, pin, or other user input) on display
device 110 which may be easily pressed by a child. Switch SW1 turns
the power, for the display and other parts of the doll, on and off.
It may also be operated to awaken the baby doll from a standby or
"sleep" mode. Switch SW2 may also be operated to awaken the baby
doll from the standby or "sleep" mode, to bypass a depicted action,
or to play music. Display device 110 also includes a microphone M1
which is used with a sound sensor to detect sounds such as the
child reading, singing or playing patty cake with the baby doll.
Although shown as simple buttons in FIG. 2, switches SW1 and SW2
may be incorporated into, or be part of, displate plate 112. There
may be a further button, pin or other device (not shown), which
when pressed, changes the volume or performs some other function of
the baby doll. Preferably, the display device 110 is configured so
that the display element 111, switch SW1 and switch SW2 extend
above the clothing of the baby doll 100. The clothing preferably
fits under the plate 112 and covers the remainder of the display
device 110, including microphone M1, so that they are hidden from
view.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inward side of the display
device 110 supports the electronics used for controlling the
operations of the baby doll 100. These electronics are connected by
wires to a plurality of sensors. In the case of the preferred
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, there are three sensors. A contact
sensor SW3 is located near the mouth and is used to detect a
feeding action. A contact sensor SW4 is located near the baby
doll's bottom and is used to detect when a diaper is placed in the
proper location on the baby doll 100. A contact sensor SW5 is
located in one of the hands and is used to detect when a toy is in
the hand, or when the other hand is near so as to detect if playing
patty cake or taking other action which requires the hands to be
near each other.
[0022] The electronics may have a microprocessor, but preferably
include a very simple processing element or controller that causes
the display element 111 and other parts of the baby doll 100 to
operate in the manner described herein. The processing element may
be responsive to different software programs or firmware recorded
on a tangible medium, such as non-volatile memory, that is executed
by the baby doll to provide different functions or other aspects of
operation when the power is turned on. Indeed, although not shown
in FIG. 3, the tangible medium may be a removable memory, such as
flash memory, that can be easily inserted or removed in the same
manner as batteries. The different flash memory include
respectively different software or firmware that may result in a
change in the game play routine of the baby doll, the images
displayed on the display, the actions to be sensed by the baby
doll, or the consequences depending on whether or not the depicted
action is taken in sufficient time.
[0023] The display device 110 is connected to a rear element 120 by
rigid posts or other supports. Rear element 120 includes a speaker
121 as well as a battery enclosure (not shown). Preferably, the
rear element 120 also includes a light sensor LS1 which detects if
a blanket covers the back of the baby doll 100, or if someone is
holding or burping the baby. The light sensor LS1 is preferably an
inexpensive and sturdy CdS light sensor, but may be any appropriate
type of light sensor that merely detects variations in light and
which need not be detailed in its measurements. Although shown out
of the doll in FIG. 3 for the sake of illustration, the rear
element is situated entirely within the doll, but is accessible for
the replacement of batteries or other elements.
[0024] The contact sensors SW3, SW4, and SW5 are preferably
electrical switches operated by an applied magnetic field. For
detection of an action and contact according to the invention, the
other item to be detected thus must merely include a small magnet.
For example, the tip of a feeding bottle may have a magnet detected
by contact sensor SW3, the diaper may have a magnet detected by
contact sensor SW4, and the toy may have a magnet detected by
contact sensor SW5. Preferably, the other hand also has a magnet
that can be detected by contact sensor SW5 when holding hands or
playing patty cake. The contact sensors may be the exact same
switch requiring the same magnet, or may be different switches with
different sensitivities requiring different respective magnets. The
electrical switches are preferably reed switches, consisting of a
pair of contacts on ferrous metal reeds in a hermetically sealed
package. The contacts may either be normally open, closing when a
magnetic field is present, or normally closed and opening when a
magnetic field is applied. The reeds are preferably in a ceramic
package or any other durable package, rather than glass or
similarly fragile envelope.
[0025] Of course, various embodiments of the invention may utilize
a different number and type of sensors. However, the sensors are
very closely correlated to the depicted actions to be taken and may
vary in dependence on the action. For example, for an embodiment
involving a dog, it may be required to brush the dog and an
appropriate sensor would be needed to detect the presence of a
hairbrush near the area of the dog to be brushed, etc. There may be
magnetic sensors, sound sensors, and other kinds of sensors
appropriate to the activity being detected.
[0026] FIGS. 4C-4K show examples of images and associated actions
that may be utilized in the preferred embodiments involving baby
doll 100. FIG. 4E shows a singing icon prompting the child to sing
to the doll and FIG. 4J shows a reading icon prompting the child to
read to the doll. The singing and reading actions may be detected
by microphone M1. FIG. 4F shows a blanket icon prompting the child
to wrap the doll in a blanket. The blanket action may be detected
by a light-to-dark change (unless already light) using the light
sensor LS1. FIG. 4G is a diaper icon prompting the child to put a
diaper on the doll. The diaper includes a magnet detected by reed
switch of contact sensor SW4. The diaper must be put on, or must
already be on. FIG. 4H shows a icon prompting the child to play
with the baby doll using a toy such as a rattle included in a kit
with the baby doll. The toy must be in the hand and have a magnet
detected by reed switch of contact sensor SW5. FIG. 4K shows an
icon prompting the child to hold the baby doll. The light sensor
LS1 must detect light then dark (unless already light).
[0027] Some actions can require followup. For example, FIG. 4I
shows a feeding icon prompting the child to feed the baby doll. The
bottle tip must be held to the mouth in order to active electrical
switch of contact sensor SW3. However, even if the child performs
the feeding action, the baby may randomly have hiccups after
feedings, which is shown by images such as those in FIG. 4C. The
hiccups may continue for a period of time, until and unless the
light sensor LS1 is activated by the child burping the baby doll
100.
[0028] Some of the functions may have a timing context, consist of
multiple images, and have a series of actions and interactions. For
example, FIG. 4D show a sequence of images representing the playing
of patty cake. To perform the action acceptably, there must be
singing detected by microphone M1, and the doll's two hands must be
put together so that the reed switch in contact sensor SW5 detects
the magnet in the other hand. This must occur at a timing when the
hands are shown put together on the screen. Furthermore, a clap
sound may be played at the time(s) when the switch of contact
sensor SW5 is activated. Such action as patty cake illustrated by
FIG. 4D is thus not a unitary action as in some of the other
actions.
[0029] Of course, the displayed images and associated actions are
not limited to those shown here. There may be other images and
actions prompted, such as putting the baby doll to sleep or placing
the baby on her stomach or back. Of course, the baby doll may be
sold with various accessories related to the displayed functions,
such as a rattle or other toy, bottle, diapers, and blanket. These
accessories have magnets so as to be detected by contact sensors
and operate the baby doll.
[0030] Upon startup, a unique series of different images are
displayed on display element 111. These images may begin with a
title logo or icon, splash images, and then end with a smiley face
as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A. The title logo and splash images may
scroll up to position or have some other kind of animation. There
may be opening music and then, when the smiley face is displayed,
perhaps a giggle sound and/or happy music. The startup routine
shown in FIG. 5A begins whenever SW2 is pressed to power on the
baby doll or either one of SW1 and SW2 is pressed to take the baby
doll out of sleep mode 501.
[0031] After startup, the doll is controlled by the electronics so
as to go through a game play routine of a sequence of prompting
images and corresponding actions depicted by the images. The
sequence of prompted actions may be predetermined or may be
randomly selected and rotated from among the various available
actions. 5B-5K shows an exemplary random game play routine.
Preferably, the child can bypass any particular action they choose
(if they don't want to do it or have lost an associated object
necessary for performing the action) by pressing switch SW1 next to
display element 111. After each action is prompted by a displayed
image, the electronics detect whether the action is taken with a
period of time after the image is displayed and provides a response
accordingly. For example, if the child performs an action and takes
care of the baby, she may be rewarded with a laughing or sleeping
baby. If the baby doll is not cared for, then a crying baby image
may be displayed on display element 111 (see FIG. 4B) and/or a
crying sound may be played through speaker 121.
[0032] Each action may have slightly different responses. See the
examples in FIGS. 5C through FI. FIGS. 5D-5G shows typical action
responses. When the image is displayed (at step 4 of FIG. 5D, step
5 of FIG. 5E, step 6 of FIG. 5F, step 7 of FIG. 5G and step 9 of
FIG. 5I), a fussy sound is played and repeated. If the prompted
action is detected within 5 seconds, a cooing sound is played
through speaker 121 and a happy image is displayed. If the prompted
action is not detected within 5 seconds, then the process goes to
step 12 shown in FIG. 5B. At step 12, a crying sound is played and
there are alternative crying and happy screens. This is done for 5
seconds and then the doll goes back and repeats the steps shown in
the respective one of FIGS. 5D-5G and FIG. 5I. This process repeats
in 5 second intervals for a maximum time limit. The time limit may
be, for example, 30 seconds for the reading action prompted in FIG.
5D and 20 seconds for the other actions prompted in FIGS. 5E-5G and
FIG. 5I. At that point, the process continues on to step 13 in FIG.
5B.
[0033] Step 13 in FIG. 5B has a giggle sound and music playing,
either simultaneously or alternating for 5 seconds, and then the
routine returns to step 2 in FIG. 5B. At step 5B, there is a random
wait of between 5-15 seconds, then a giggle sound plays after
certain period of time. If there is any user activity, then an
action is selected at random. If there is no user activity for 2
minutes, the baby doll is put into sleep mode ("standby") if there
is no input within 2 minutes.
[0034] Of course, each action in FIGS. 5D-5G and FIG. 5I is
detected in different ways as shown and described previously. The
process of detecting the diaper changing action (step 8 in FIG. 5H)
has an additional variation in the process. Instead of merely
detecting a diaper at contact sensor SW4, the process detects
whether there is a change in the presence of a diaper within 10
seconds and also whether the contact sensor SW4 remains closed
(meaning a diaper is on) for more than 20 seconds. This is because
the child could either change the diaper on the baby doll or put a
diaper on the baby doll who didn't have a diaper previously. The
process either repeats at step 8 if there is no diaper change
detected of proceeds to step 13 in FIG. 5B if the diaper changed is
detected.
[0035] FIG. 5C shows a slightly less simple example for the feeding
action associated with FIG. 4I. When the image is displayed at step
3, a fussy sound is played and repeated. If the bottle tip is
detected within 5 seconds, a drinking sound is played through
speaker 121 and an image is displayed. If the bottle tip is not
detected within 5 seconds, then the process goes to step 12 shown
in FIG. 5B. At step 12, a crying sound is played and there are
alternative crying and happy screens. This is done for 5 seconds
and then the doll goes back and repeats the steps shown in FIG. 5C.
This process repeats in 5 second intervals for 20 seconds.
[0036] However, instead of immediately continuing to step 13 in
FIG. 5B, the process continues and alternates between step 13 in
FIG. 5B and step 14 in FIG. 5K. Step 13 in FIG. 5B was described
above. At step 14 in FIG. 5k, a hiccup sound is played and images
depicting hiccups are played. This is repeated, for example, five
times. The burping action is detected, such as by sensing whether
light sensor L1 detects a change in light 4 times in seconds. If
burping is not detected, then the process is repeated. If burping
is detected, then the routine goes to step 13 in FIG. 5B.
[0037] Finally, FIG. 5J shows the process for the patty cake
action. At step 10, the fussy sound is played and repeated. The two
images of two hands and clapping hands, respectively, are displayed
for 2 seconds each. If the prompted action (singing at microphone
M1 and hands together at contact sensor SW5) is detected within 4
seconds, a cooing sound is played through speaker 121 and a happy
image is displayed. If the prompted action is not detected within 4
seconds, then the process goes to step 12 shown in FIG. 5B. At step
12, a crying sound is played and there are alternative crying and
happy screens. This is done for 5 seconds and then the doll goes
back to step 10 in FIG. 5J. This process repeats in 4 second
intervals up to the maximum time limit of 30 seconds. At that
point, the process continues on to step 13 in FIG. 5B. If the
action is detected, then the whole sequence of patty cake images is
displayed and repeated. A clapping sound is played each time
contact sensor SW5 closes. The patty cake is repeated for up to 30
seconds or for 2 loops of the patty cake sequence, and then the
process proceeds to step 13 in FIG. 5B.
[0038] Of course, all of the various parameters in the game play
routine shown in FIGS. 5B-5K may be different than the values
shown. For example, the time periods may be changed. The number of
attempts may be change. There may be other sounds besides giggling,
crying and laughing. Indeed, some of these parameters may be
changed by the user. Having described at least one preferred
embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to those precise
embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and
adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
* * * * *