U.S. patent application number 12/378404 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for interactive toy system.
Invention is credited to Henry L. Eisenson.
Application Number | 20100041304 12/378404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41681586 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100041304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eisenson; Henry L. |
February 18, 2010 |
Interactive toy system
Abstract
An interactive networked toy system comprised of objects that
enter into meaningful and entertaining dialog with each other and
with the Child that plays with them.
Inventors: |
Eisenson; Henry L.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HENRY EISENSON;SUITE-330
4330 LA JOLLA VILLAGE DRIVE
SAN DIEGO
CA
92122
US
|
Family ID: |
41681586 |
Appl. No.: |
12/378404 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61065682 |
Feb 13, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/297 ;
446/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/28 20130101; A63H
2200/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/297 ;
446/268 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/28 20060101
A63H003/28 |
Claims
1. A system comprised of circuits, software, and operating methods
by which at least two nodes of an interactive toy generate the
illusion of interaction with each other and with a human
participant.
2. The system of claim 1 in which interaction between the system
and the human participant is via electronic speech recognition
circuitry by the system and via normal hearing by the human.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein a single central node of said
interactive toy includes all necessary data storage, data
processing, microphone, speech detection, text-to-speech
conversion, and a radio transmitter.
4. The system of claim 3 in which each of the other nodes of said
interactive toy includes only a radio receiver, amplifier, and
speaker.
5. The system of claim 4 in which each of the other nodes of said
system also includes a transmitter function that permits the
central node to know when each of the satellite nodes is proximate
and turned on.
6. Software of claim 1 that controls the radio signals transmitted
by the central node of claim 3 to the satellite nodes of claim
4.
7. An externally-programmable database of responses and comments
contained in the central node of claim 3, with associated
text-to-speech circuitry.
8. A pseudo-random number generator contained in the central node
of claim 3 that randomizes the selection of responses to identified
phrases and words generated either by the human participant and
detected by speech detection of claim 3 or by the previous phrases
and words generated by other nodes.
9. A wireless or wired connection between the system of claim 1 and
an external computer, by which the programming of the central node
can be modified, updated, or replaced.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/065682, filed 13 Feb.
2007 by Henry Eisenson, content of which is incorporated
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
interactive toys.
[0003] 1. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Application No. 20070275634 by Wright is entitled FIGURINES
HAVING INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION. That invention provides a method
by which multiple figurines can appear to communicate, but in the
primary configuration of that design each figurine has an internal
data storage means that comprises its personality. In comparison,
the present invention achieves similar or better results by
incorporating intelligence, processing, and internal data storage
means in only one of multiple devices, with each of the satellite
devices/toys/figurines acting solely as a wireless loudspeaker,
converting radio signals sent by the central intelligent unit into
audible voices that appear to have been generated by the satellite.
Further, that application defines a system that does not interact
with a human participant, and does not generate responses based
upon terms and phrases orally generated by the human.
[0005] Many toy products exist in the prior art that have the
capability of generating meaningful audio, or speech, when
stimulated by the Child.
[0006] Many products exist for networking to provide connectivity
between diverse nodes of a system.
[0007] Speech recognition is a well-understand family of
technologies.
[0008] Radio-frequency communication between nodes of a networked
system has been successfully implemented for many years, and
comprises few new technical adventures.
[0009] There are proven methods for combining RF networking with
novelty and toy products to achieve networking, interconnectivity,
or a useful interface with a human.
[0010] There are many highly interactive toys by which the human
Child is enthralled and educated.
[0011] 2. Existing Problems with Prior Art
[0012] One of the problems with known interactive toys is that the
interactivity is limited to that between the Child and the toy.
[0013] Another limitation of such known toy products is that there
is limited spontaneity, since each party to the interaction, the
toy and the Child, has only one source of stimuli.
[0014] Another problem with known interactive toy products is that
their repertoire is generally limited, and they soon lose the
fascination of the Child.
[0015] Another problem with such toys is that their interactivity
is generally of limited scope, and they lack opportunities to
combine their play action with educational content.
[0016] One of the problems with the cited WRIGHT prior art is
complexity, since that invention requires costly data storage and
processing in each of the figurines that participate in the
entertainment process.
[0017] Other problems with existing integrated generator-storage
devices will become apparent when the present invention is compared
with them and its advantages become obvious.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of toy products in general, and specifically those designed
to provide interactivity and educational stimulation to the Child,
the present invention provides several improvements that together
overcome certain deficiencies appearing in the prior art, and
creates a new and unique toy category with certain advantages and
characteristics not available from previously known designs.
[0019] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
system in which components of the toy set interact with each other,
in a spontaneous, rational, meaningful, charming, fascinating, and
captivating manner.
[0020] Another objective is to enable active components of said
system to interact with and respond to the Child, enhancing the
charm and fascination of the toy.
[0021] Another objective is an interactive networked system that
includes moving objects that respond to the Child.
[0022] Another objective is to provide means by which the networked
interactive toy system can be interfaced with a common computer to
create new bodies of information and dialog databases.
[0023] Another objective is to provide means by which the system
can be expanded to include educational information, to be presented
interactively with the participation of the Child.
[0024] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects
and advantages be within the scope of the present invention.
[0025] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the
accompanying specification and drawings. However, the specification
and drawings are illustrative of the basic concepts only; there are
many possible configurations and derivatives lying within the
intended scope of the invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The system comprising the present invention consists of a
toy object containing battery-powered components that permit
network interaction with other toy objects and voice recognition
interaction with the Child.
[0027] The present invention includes a Master toy object
containing a power source, a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver,
memory, a microcontroller or computer, a microphone, and a
speaker.
[0028] The present invention also includes a Satellite toy object
containing a power source, a radio-frequency transceiver, and a
speaker.
[0029] The Master object can detect the presence of a powered
Satellite object, and can detect audio or voice from a Child.
[0030] The Master object can select audio streams from a data bank
based upon stimuli from the Child, or from preprogrammed sequences
that are selected randomly.
[0031] The Master object is connected by RF to one or more
Satellite objects. By transmitting via RF, messages can be received
by the Satellite objects, amplified, and output audibly via the
speaker in each Satellite.
[0032] The data bank of dialog and speech sequences contained in
the Master object can be updated by RF from a computer with
appropriate software and an appropriate RF interface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 shows the general configuration of the system in
accordance with the preferred embodiment, with one Master object
and one Satellite object and one Child.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a Master object, with
inner components.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a Satellite object, with
inner components.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the interaction of the system with the Child,
with possible speech sequences.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the system with a link to a computer,
downloading educational material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The present invention is comprised of at least three
components.
[0039] THE MASTER OBJECT has an outer form that is a
well-understood toy, such as a doll, stuffed animal, action figure,
miniature vehicle, or a structure on a play set. Within the Master
Object are the following components: [0040] a. A power source,
comprised of a rechargeable or disposable battery or cells
appropriate to the runtime and usage rate of the toy. [0041] b. A
microcomputer or microcontroller, a well-known technology and in
this case selected to provide the control of the system, including
the operation of a pseudo-random number generator that selects
appropriate line items from a data list, and selects responding
Satellite objects to issue the response to the Child. [0042] c. A
microphone with associated voice recognition circuitry. [0043] d. A
speaker with associated amplifier, which may be filtered or adapted
to provide a unique voice characteristic, such adaptation to be
selectable. [0044] e. A radio-frequency (such as Bluetooth)
transceiver, also a well-known and standardized technology that
permits low-power and close-range digital communication. [0045] f.
Associated circuitry to connect the RF transceiver to the
microcontroller, microphone, speaker, and other components within
the Master Object.
[0046] A SATELLITE OBJECT, which is of a form that is visually
compatible with that of the Master Object; that is, if the Master
Object is a stuffed animal the Satellite Object will be something
similar. Within each Satellite Object are the following components:
[0047] a. A power source, comprised of a rechargeable or disposable
battery or cells appropriate to the runtime and usage rate of the
toy. [0048] b. A speaker with associated amplifier, which may be
filtered or adapted to provide a unique voice characteristic, such
adaptation to be selectable. [0049] c. A radio-frequency (such as
Bluetooth) transceiver. [0050] d. Associated circuitry to connect
the RF transceiver to the speaker and associated amplifier within
the Satellite Object.
[0051] THE CHILD, whose voice is detectable by the microphone and
voice recognition circuitry in the Master Object.
Operation
[0052] The concept is to develop a complete family of toys that
talk to a Child and hear the Child, and that talk TO EACH OTHER
with "perfect" communication.
[0053] Dolls, vehicles, action figures, or structures on a play set
can be battery-operated toys that comprise a wireless network. The
Master Object has voice recognition, RF (such as Bluetooth)
transmitter, a computer or microcontroller, memory, microphone, and
speaker. The Satellite Object in the network have only an RF
transceiver and a speaker. Additional network members (toys) can be
added.
[0054] The "voice" of any object can be modified by either a
switch, an RF signal, a computer interface, or random selection by
the Master Object.
[0055] TOY #1--the Master--is turned ON.
[0056] TOY #2--the first of several possible Satellites--is turned
ON, announces its presence in the network via RF, and goes into
RECEIVE mode.
[0057] TOY #1 detects #2 joining the network and "says" something
on the speaker to be heard by the Child, in Toy #1 voice.
[0058] TOY #1 then transmits a proper response (picked at random
from a long list of possibilities) to the first statement.
[0059] TOY #2 "hears" perfectly since it's Bluetooth, and from its
speaker comes the selected response (rarely the same twice) in Toy
#2 voice.
[0060] TOY #3, a second Satellite, joins the system, announces its
presence by RF, and thereafter speaks with Toy #3 voice.
[0061] The Child hears Toy #1 say "I want to play", then hears #2
say "Let's play with our friend", then hears from #3 "Not me. I
want to go take a nap."
[0062] Because all statements are picked from large lists of random
appropriate responses, the dialogs can be complex and interactive,
with any number of participating dolls or action figures.
[0063] In this manner, the toys can interact with each other, with
zero errors.
[0064] The voice characteristics can be created within the
amplification circuit of each toy rather than in the memory of the
Master, thus reducing required memory. Or, the voice
characteristics can be stored in the memory of the Master and
transmitted accordingly.
[0065] The Child always hears what is being "said" via the
speakers, all controlled by the Master.
[0066] The Child then begins interacting vocally, and everything
the Child says can change the discussion between Objects, and
between Objects and the Child.
[0067] By voice recognition the Master will understand the Child's
comments, or at least key words and inflection, and when unclear
can say "I don't understand. What did you mean?" or "What?"
[0068] Logic within the Master can select which of the toys will
respond to the Child, what will be "said" via the speakers, and the
Master will coordinate all toys by Bluetooth signal.
[0069] Thereby, the Child can enter into a simple dialog with the
toys, or a complex discussion with several of them.
[0070] Any low-power RF system will serve as the communication link
between the Master and the Satellites.
[0071] IR can also be made to work, but it will have limitations
regarding object position and computer interface (see below).
[0072] This is for dolls, action figures, vehicles, stuffed
animals, etc. There can be motion, a playset, non-interactive
objects, and other features comprising the system but consistent
with the basic concept.
[0073] Functional Summary
[0074] The Child will be seen as having an interactive and complex
discussion with two, three, or more dolls or action figures, of
which some might move in response to commands, with great diversity
of phrases and responses. The Child (and perhaps the parent) will
be fascinated and charmed as the toys "talk" with each other in
logical and interesting ways. Content can be elevated such that the
discussion is at age 5 or 6--or even more--with great realism.
[0075] This establishes a new category of interactive toys that can
be fun, educational, and highly stimulating. A computer can be
added to the network, permitting the download via RF of entire
discussion packages or scenarios on specific educational topics.
This expands branding opportunities: Disney figures, Sesame Street,
etc. can be licensed and will talk with familiar voices, but this
will be the first time that they talk with each other and with the
Child in interactive ways.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0076] In its preferred embodiment, the present invention is
expressed as two or more similar toy objects, of which one is the
Master Object containing a microphone and voice recognition circuit
(for detection and recognition of the Child's speech), a
microcontroller (for operation of a pseudo-random number generator
to select from a long list of phrases and words, and for selection
of the responder to the Child's statements), and the other is a
Satellite Object. Both contain a power source such as a battery,
plus an RF transceiver, speaker, amplifier, and associated
wiring.
[0077] That system thus communicates between Objects and a computer
via the supplied RF transceiver, and with the Child via voice
recognition and the supplied speaker, said speaker to have unique
voices for each of the Objects.
[0078] In that embodiment, the physical configuration of the
present invention is a set of two or more Objects that enter into
dialog with each other in productive, rational, and entertaining
ways that are rarely repeated, and in which the Child can get
involved to affect the direction of said dialog.
Connections Within the Present Invention
[0079] The basic execution of the present invention requires two
components, the Master Object and the Satellite Object, though each
can take many forms depending upon the specific toy comprising the
product that includes the present invention.
[0080] Both OBJECTs first include a power source, typically one or
more cells to power that Object. If rechargeable, the product
includes a recharging station or method.
[0081] Both OBJECTS include a speaker, which is connected to an
analog audio amplifier, which is connected to the output of an RF
receiver, such as a Bluetooth receiver.
[0082] The MASTER OBJECT also includes a microphone, or uses the
speaker as a microphone, which is connected to the input of a voice
recognition circuit which is connected to an analog to digital
converter which is connected to the microcontroller or computing
engine which is programmed with voice recognition circuitry, or to
a stand-alone voice recognition circuit.
[0083] The MASTER OBJECT is programmable via wireless (Bluetooth,
WiFi, etc.) or wired connection (USB, etc.) to permit a computer to
load new tables of responses corresponding to new subject matter,
such as history, spelling, geography, and ethics.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0084] 11. FIG. 1 shows the general configuration of the system in
accordance with the preferred embodiment, with one Master object 1,
one Satellite object 2 and one Child 3, in which Master object 1
communicates with Satellite object 2 via radio frequency (RF) as
shown in 4. Both Master and Satellite objects can communicate via
audio speech to the Child as shown in 5, and the Child can
communicate only to the Master object via speech as shown in 6.
[0085] 12. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a Master object 1,
with inner components. The battery or power source 7 can be
rechargeable or disposable. It powers the system including a
microcontroller 8 which operates the system. The microcontroller 8
uses a randomizing algorithm to select data from memory 9 which is
converted to audio in the digital to analog converter 10 and fed to
the amplifier 11 and the speaker 12. A discrete microphone 13 (or
the speaker 12) captures audio and feeds it to an analog to digital
converter 14, and then to the microcontroller 8. The
microcontroller is also connected to an RF transceiver 15 from
which information and to information travels within the
network.
[0086] 13. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a Satellite object 2,
with inner components. The battery or power source 7 can be
rechargeable or disposable. It powers the system including data
from the RF transceiver 15 which is converted to analog by the
digital-to-analog converter 10 and amplified by the amplifier 11
and output by the speaker 12.
[0087] 14. FIG. 4 shows the interaction of the system with the
Child, with possible speech sequences 16
[0088] 15. FIG. 5 shows the system with a link from a computer,
downloading educational material.
* * * * *