U.S. patent application number 12/542204 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for electronic toy and methods of interacting therewith.
Invention is credited to Carrie Buse, Paul King, Rene M. Pasko, Erich Weidetz.
Application Number | 20100041312 12/542204 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41669358 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100041312 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King; Paul ; et al. |
February 18, 2010 |
ELECTRONIC TOY AND METHODS OF INTERACTING THEREWITH
Abstract
Electronic toys and methods of interacting with electronic toys
are provided, in which the electronic toys include a body defining
an interior and an opening into the interior plus a prize removably
located in the interior and accessible through the opening. A
controller is configured to: make the prize inaccessible through
the opening; output instructions to make the prize accessible;
receive input in response to the instructions; determine whether
the input satisfies a predetermined criterion; and make the prize
accessible again through the opening when the input satisfies the
predetermined criterion.
Inventors: |
King; Paul; (Newbury Park,
CA) ; Buse; Carrie; (Santa Monica, CA) ;
Pasko; Rene M.; (Redondo Beach, CA) ; Weidetz;
Erich; (Santa Monica, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
200 PACIFIC BUILDING, 520 SW YAMHILL STREET
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
41669358 |
Appl. No.: |
12/542204 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61089434 |
Aug 15, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 13/00 20130101;
A63H 2200/00 20130101; A63H 33/22 20130101; A63H 3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/484 |
International
Class: |
A63H 29/22 20060101
A63H029/22 |
Claims
1. An electronic toy comprising: a body defining an interior
adapted to receive a prize and an opening into the interior; and a
controller configured to: make the interior inaccessible through
the opening; output instructions; receive input in response to the
instructions; determine whether the input satisfies a predetermined
criterion; and make the interior accessible again through the
opening when the input satisfies the predetermined criterion.
2. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising a motion
sensor, wherein the input includes output from the motion
sensor.
3. The electronic toy of claim 2, wherein the controller is further
configured to accumulate the output from the motion sensor into a
cumulative motion datum, and wherein determining whether the input
satisfies the predetermined criterion includes comparing the
cumulative motion datum to a predetermined threshold.
4. The electronic toy of claim 3, wherein the motion sensor is
configured to detect a direction of motion.
5. The electronic toy of claim 3, wherein the controller is further
configured to output instructions to move the electronic toy.
6. The electronic toy of claim 5, further comprising a first
speaker on one side of the toy and a second speaker on another side
of the toy, wherein the instructions to move the electronic toy
include audio that is output first from the first speaker and then
from the second speaker.
7. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising a temperature
sensor, wherein the input includes output from the temperature
sensor.
8. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising a light
sensor, wherein the input includes output from the light
sensor.
9. The electronic toy of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to output a virtual character on a display and to
control the virtual character based on signals received from one or
more user controls.
10. The electronic toy of claim 9, wherein the prize is an object
that resembles the virtual character.
11. The electronic toy of claim 9, wherein the controller is
further configured to remove the virtual character from the
display, indicating that the interior is no longer accessible
through the opening.
12. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising a rumble
mechanism configured to rumble the electronic toy when the input
satisfies the predetermined criterion.
13. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising a light,
wherein the controller is configured to illuminate the light when
the input satisfies the predetermined criterion.
14. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising a speaker,
wherein the controller is configured to output audio through the
speaker when the input satisfies the predetermined criterion.
15. The electronic toy of claim 1, further comprising: first and
second compartments located within the interior, the electronic toy
being alterable between a nominal configuration where the first
compartment is accessible through the opening and the second
compartment is inaccessible, and an active configuration where the
second compartment is accessible through the opening and the first
compartment is inaccessible.
16. The electronic toy of claim 15, further comprising: a drawer
that moves through the opening relative to the body; and a
separator that moves relative to the drawer and separates the first
and second compartments; wherein the separator is secured to the
drawer when the electronic toy is in the nominal configuration and
the separator is secured to the body when the electronic toy is in
the active configuration.
17. The electronic toy of claim 16, further comprising a motor that
is operated by the controller to secure the separator to the drawer
when the electronic toy is in the nominal configuration and to
secure the separator to the body when the electronic toy is in the
active configuration.
18. The electronic toy of claim 15, further comprising a prize
sensor adapted to detect whether the prize is contained within the
first compartment, and wherein the controller is further configured
to prevent alteration of the electronic toy from the nominal
configuration to the active configuration when the prize is not
within the first compartment.
19. The electronic toy of claim 15, wherein the first compartment
is, when the electronic toy is in the nominal configuration,
substantially similar in size and shape to the second compartment
when the electronic toy is in the active configuration.
20. A method of interacting with an electronic toy to access a
prize contained within a body of the toy, the body defining an
interior and an opening into the interior, the method comprising:
placing the prize in the interior to be accessible through the
opening; altering the toy to make the prize inaccessible through
the opening; outputting instructions; receiving input in response
to the instructions; determining whether the input satisfies a
predetermined criterion; and altering the toy when the input
satisfies the predetermined criterion to make the prize
accessible.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein altering the toy to make the
prize inaccessible includes altering first and second compartments
contained within the interior from a nominal configuration, where
the first compartment is accessible through the opening and the
second compartment is inaccessible, to an active configuration
where the second compartment is accessible through the opening and
the first compartment is inaccessible; and wherein altering the toy
to make the prize accessible includes altering the first and second
compartments from the active configuration to the nominal
configuration.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving input further
comprises detecting movement of the toy.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein determining whether the input
satisfies the predetermined criterion includes accumulating the
detected movement of the toy into a cumulative datum and comparing
the cumulative datum to a predetermined threshold.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein outputting instructions
includes displaying instructions on a display to move the toy.
25. An electronic toy, comprising: a body defining an interior and
an opening into the interior; a display; first and second
compartments located within the interior; a plush doll removably
positionable in the first compartment; and a controller operably
coupled to the display and configured to: alter the toy from a
nominal configuration, where the first compartment is accessible
through the opening and the second compartment is inaccessible, to
an active configuration, where the second compartment is accessible
through the opening and the first compartment is inaccessible;
output instructions on the display; receive input in response to
the instructions; determine whether the input satisfies a
predetermined criterion; and alter the toy from the active
configuration back to the nominal configuration when the input
satisfies the predetermined criterion so that the plush doll is
once again visible and accessible through the opening.
26. The electronic toy of claim 25, further comprising a motion
sensor, wherein the input includes output from the motion sensor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/089,434,
filed on Aug. 15, 2008, entitled "INTERACTIVE VIDEO TOY", the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic toys exist that are adapted to display virtual
characters on a video screen. Examples of electronic toys are found
in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,646, U.S. Pat. No.
5,685,776, U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,798, U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,952, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,043,822, U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,071, U.S. Pat. No.
6,118,458, U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,871, U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,843, and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,295. Examples of toys that spawn and/or hide
another toy are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,644. The disclosures
of all the patent applications, patents and other publications
recited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety for all purposes.
SUMMARY
[0003] An electronic toy and methods of interacting with an
electronic toy are provided. The electronic toy may include a body
defining an interior and an opening into the interior; a prize
removably located in the interior and accessible through the
opening; and a controller configured to: make the prize
inaccessible through the opening; output instructions to make the
prize accessible; receive input in response to the instructions;
determine whether the input satisfies a predetermined criterion;
and make the prize accessible again through the opening when the
input satisfies the predetermined criterion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 are views of an example embodiment of an
electronic toy from the front and side, respectively.
[0005] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example embodiment of an
electronic toy.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of components in an example
embodiment of an electronic toy.
[0007] FIG. 5 depicts example instructions on a display of one
embodiment.
[0008] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict an example embodiment of an electronic
toy in a nominal configuration where a prize is visible and
accessible through an opening in the body.
[0009] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the example embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6
in an active configuration where a virtual character is "lost," and
where the prize is concealed within the interior of the toy.
[0010] FIG. 10 is a flowchart demonstrating an example method,
according to the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and side views, respectively, of an
example electronic toy 10. Toy 10 includes a body 12 defining an
interior 14 that is accessible via an opening 16. Body 12 may be
configured to resemble various shapes, such as simple geometric
shapes like a cylinder, ergonomic shapes, or shapes of various
characters. A drawer 18 may be included to move through opening 16
relative to body 12 and to provide access to interior 14 via
opening 16. A prize 20 may be removably located in interior 14 so
that it is accessible through opening 16. Prize 20 may be various
objects or trinkets, such as a plush toy resembling a
character.
[0012] A display 22 may be included on body 12 and may be
configured to depict a virtual character 24. In exemplary
embodiments, virtual character 24 resembles the same character as
prize 20. Display 22 may be may an electronic screen, such as a
Liquid Crystal Display ("LCD"). One or more user controls 26 may
also be provided to allow a user to control the actions of virtual
character 24 on display 22. User controls 26 may take the forms of
various input devices, such as buttons, knobs, control pads,
joysticks, and the like, and may output signals representative of a
user's manipulation of the controls. Audio-producing devices such
as speakers may also be provided to produce sound effects. Some
embodiments may not include a display, and may instead send sensory
output to users in other ways, such as audible, visual (e.g.,
flashing lights) and/or haptic feedback.
[0013] Toy 10 may be altered between a nominal configuration, or
"normal mode," and an active configuration, or "runaway mode." When
toy 10 is in normal mode, a user may interact with virtual
character 24 on display 22 with user controls 26. Prize 20 is
stored within interior 14 so that it is accessible through opening
16 by, for example, opening drawer 18.
[0014] At various points during gameplay, virtual character 24
depicted on display 22 may "run away," causing toy 10 to enter
"runaway mode." For example, virtual character 24 may appear to run
off display 22, indicating that toy 10 has entered "runaway mode."
When toy 10 enters "runaway mode," prize 20 may become inaccessible
through opening 16. For example, if a user opens drawer 18, prize
20 will appear to have vanished, indicating that the prize "ran
away."
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary toy, similar to
those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Prize 20 is stored in a first
compartment 28 of interior 14 that is accessible through opening 16
when toy 10 is in its nominal configuration. A second compartment
30 is defined within interior 14 and may become accessible through
opening 16 when toy 10 switches to its active (runaway)
configuration.
[0016] A separator 32 is provided (as part of an inner drawer 34 in
FIG. 3) to separate first compartment 28 and second compartment 30
from one another. When electronic toy 10 is in its nominal
configuration, first compartment 28 may be substantially similar in
size and shape to second compartment 30 when toy 10 is in its
active configuration, providing the illusion that the first and
second compartments are one and the same. As will be described
below, separator 32 may be selectively secured to drawer 18 or to
body 12 in order to selectively define first compartment 28 and
second compartment 30.
[0017] In some embodiments, inner drawer 34 includes a prize sensor
38, such as a leaf sensor, that is configured to detect the
presence of prize 20 within first compartment 28. In some
embodiments, if no prize 20 is detected, toy will not switch from
its nominal configuration to its active (runaway) configuration,
leaving first compartment 28 accessible through opening 16.
[0018] FIG. 4 schematically depicts components of an example
electronic toy 10. A controller 40, which may be a microprocessor,
ASIC, or other specialized logic device such as the GPL132A from
General Plus Technology, Inc., may be contained within interior 14
and may be configured to control various components of toy 10. For
example, controller 40 may be connected via a bus 42 to one or more
of a motion sensor 44, a motor 46, one or more speakers 47, a
rumble mechanism 48, one or more lights 49, display 22, user
controls 26 and prize sensor 38. Motion sensor 44 may be various
mechanisms, including a ball within a housing or cage, such as
those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,478, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,429
or U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,025, the disclosures of which are
incorporated by reference.
[0019] Controller 40 may be configured to cause display 22 to
display one or more virtual environments, as well as virtual
character 24 interacting therewith. A user may operate user
controls 26 to send signals to controller 40, so that controller 40
causes virtual character 24 to perform tasks, play games, and/or
participate in activities within the virtual environments, as
instructed by the user.
[0020] At various points during gameplay, controller 40 also may be
configured to alter toy 10 from its nominal configuration, where
prize 20 is accessible through opening 16, to its active (runaway)
configuration, where prize 20 is inaccessible through opening 16.
Controller 40 may then output instructions 50 on display 22 that a
user may follow to make prize 20 accessible. For example, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5, controller 40 causes display 22 to show
instructions 50 in the form of directional arrows that are meant to
cause a user to walk in various directions under the subterfuge
that the user is looking in her own real-world environment (e.g.,
her home) for the "lost" virtual character 24. Other clues that may
be used to instruct a user how to find the runaway virtual
character 24 include hot/cold indicators, footprints, sounds, and
the like.
[0021] In one embodiment, toy 10 may be configured to mimic audibly
the sound of a character moving from a first position relative to
toy 10 to a second position, in order to prompt a user to "chase"
the character. For example, toy 10 may include speakers 47 on each
side. Controller 40 first may cause a speaker 47 on a first side to
output the sound of footsteps. Controller may then silence the
speaker 47 on the first side and cause the sound of footsteps to be
output through the speaker 47 on the other side of toy, or a slow
transition may be created with the sound of footsteps progressing
from one speaker 47 to another of speaker 47. The effect is that a
user believes they have heard something move from the first side to
the second side.
[0022] Controller 40 next receives input from a user, typically in
response to instructions 50, and determines whether the input
satisfies a predetermined criterion. If the input satisfies the
predetermined criterion, controller 40 may make prize 20 accessible
again through opening 16. The input may be received from various
sources, such as user controls 26 and motion sensor 44. The
predetermined criterion may include one or more conditions, such as
whether a user has completed enough levels or achieved a high
enough score.
[0023] In embodiments where controller 40 causes display 22 to
output instructions to move toy 10 in various directions, motion
sensor 44 sends a signal to controller 40 when toy 10 is moved. In
some such embodiments, controller 40 accumulates output from motion
sensor 44 into a cumulative datum or value and compares the
cumulative datum to a predetermined threshold. For example, motion
sensor 44 may be configured to detect when a user takes a step, or
the direction thereof, and controller 40 may accumulate the number
and/or direction of steps into a cumulative motion datum. If the
cumulative datum equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold,
controller 40 may make prize 20 accessible again through opening
16.
[0024] In some embodiments, as the cumulative datum approaches the
predetermined threshold, electronic toy 10 may provide feedback
indicating that the user is "close" to finding the runaway virtual
character 24. For example, controller 40 may cause speakers 47 to
output sound, and in some cases may increase the volume of the
sound as the cumulative datum approaches the predetermined
threshold. Additionally or alternatively, controller 40 may cause
lights 49 to illuminate, and in some cases may increase the
luminosity or the frequency of flashing of lights 49 as the
cumulative datum approaches the predetermined threshold.
[0025] Phenomenon other than motion also may be detected by toy 10
as input. Toy 10 may include, in addition to or alternatively to
motion sensor 44, sensors for detecting light or temperature. For
example, a controller 40 may detect changes in a signal received
from a photo or light sensor that are caused by movement of toy 10
relative to one or more light sources, as may be caused by a child
walking around while holding toy 10. Controller 40 may accumulate
these changes in the signal as a proxy for movement of toy 10.
[0026] A controller 40 in another embodiment may implement a
similar process with respect to changes in temperature. A user may
be instructed to carry toy 10 to various environments that
presumably have different temperatures (e.g., indoors versus
outdoors). Controller 40 may accumulate resulting changes in a
signal from a temperature sensor as a proxy for movement.
[0027] Toy 10 may provide various types of feedback when a user
"finds" a runaway virtual character 24. For example, rumble
mechanism 48 may be configured to provide haptic feedback (e.g.,
vibration of toy 10). Additionally or alternatively, display 22 may
provide one or more animations, and other output components such as
speakers 47 and lights 49 may provide additional outputs.
[0028] Toy 10 may be altered between its nominal configuration,
where prize 20 is accessible through opening 16, and its active
configuration, where prize 20 is inaccessible through opening 16,
in various ways. FIGS. 6-9 depict an example toy 10 that has
similar components to the example shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 6 and 7
are front and side views, respectively, of toy 10 in its nominal
configuration (i.e. virtual character 24 has not "run away"). First
compartment 28 of interior 14 is accessible via opening 16 and
separator 32 is secured to drawer 18 and not secured to body 12 so
that as drawer 18 is opened, separator 32 and inner drawer 34 move
with drawer 18.
[0029] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict front and side views, respectively, of
the toy 10 of FIGS. 6 and 7 in its active (runaway) configuration.
Separator 32 is engaged with body 12 so that when drawer 18 is
opened, separator 32 and inner drawer 34 remain stationary relative
to body 12. Thus, when drawer is opened, second compartment 30 is
visible and accessible, and first compartment 28 is concealed, so
that prize 20 appears to have disappeared or "run away."
[0030] FIG. 10 depicts an example method of using an electronic toy
such as those described here. In step 100, a prize is placed within
the interior of a toy so that it is accessible through an opening
of the toy. In step 102, the toy is altered to make the prize
inaccessible. In step 104, instructions are output (e.g., on
display 22) to users that indicate how users can make the prize
accessible once again. In step 106, the toy receives input in
response to the instructions. As noted above, input can be received
through user controls 26 or motion sensor 44. In step 108, the
input (e.g., cumulative motion of the electronic toy 10 as measured
by motion sensor 44 and represented by the cumulative motion datum)
is compared to a predetermined criterion (e.g., minimum movement
threshold). If the predetermined criterion is met, the toy is
altered to make the prize once again accessible through the opening
in step 110.
[0031] While embodiments of a toy and methods of toy play have been
particularly shown and described, many variations may be made
therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent or
interdependent embodiments directed to various combinations of
features, functions, elements and/or properties. Other combinations
and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or
properties may be claimed later in a related application. Such
variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or
directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader,
narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within
the subject matter of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the
foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or
element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible
combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
Each example defines an embodiment disclosed in the foregoing
disclosure, but any one example does not necessarily encompass all
features or combinations that may be eventually claimed. Where the
description recites "a" or "a first" element or the equivalent
thereof, such description includes one or more such elements,
neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further,
ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified
elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not
indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not
indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless
otherwise specifically stated.
* * * * *