U.S. patent application number 14/317052 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for intentionally annoying toy with an interactive shut-off mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Andrew Breckman. Invention is credited to Andrew Breckman.
Application Number | 20150017873 14/317052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52144128 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150017873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Breckman; Andrew |
January 15, 2015 |
INTENTIONALLY ANNOYING TOY WITH AN INTERACTIVE SHUT-OFF
MECHANISM
Abstract
A sound emitting device, preferably a doll, is taught. The sound
emitting device emits a continuous sound upon activation that
requires a code be manually entered or requires the user to
complete a series of challenges to silence the device. The sound
emitting device has multiple power sources so the removal of one of
the power sources will not silence the device. In an alternate
embodiment, the sound emitting device has a LCD embedded into the
device, which displays code information and provides further user
interaction. Additionally, a method of silencing a sound emitting
device is disclosed. The user must input the numerical code
provided by the sound emitting device into a corresponding mobile
application. From there, the user will be prompted by a series of
challenges to complete before the device will be silenced.
Inventors: |
Breckman; Andrew; (Madison,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Breckman; Andrew |
Madison |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52144128 |
Appl. No.: |
14/317052 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61842166 |
Jul 2, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/006 20130101;
A63H 3/28 20130101; A63H 3/36 20130101; A63H 2200/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/297 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/36 20060101
A63H003/36 |
Claims
1. A sound emitting device comprising: a microprocessor contained
within the sound emitting device, the microprocessor coupled to a
printed circuit board having preinstalled firmware containing a
code wherein the code is orientation based; a power source
contained within the sound emitting device; at least one speaker
contained within the sound emitting device, the at least one
speaker generates a continuous sound effect upon activation; and at
least one digital gyroscope contained within the sound emitting
device.
2. The sound emitting device of claim 1 wherein the continuous
sound effect is a tone or dialogue.
3. The sound emitting device of claim 2 wherein the tone or
dialogue ceases when the code is correctly entered.
4. The sound emitting device of claim 1 wherein the sound emitting
device is a doll.
5. The sound emitting device of claim 4 wherein the orientation
based code is completed by orienting the appendages of the device
in a particular configuration.
6. The sound emitting device of claim 1 further comprising: at
least two touch based sensors; at least two light emitting diodes
(LEDs); and a touch based code.
7. The sound emitting device of claim 6 wherein a first tone
corresponds to a first sensor and a first light and a second tone
corresponds to a second sensor and a second light.
8. The sound emitting device of claim 6 wherein the touch based
code is a pattern of tones and lights.
9. The sound emitting device of claim 1 wherein the power source is
at least one dry cell battery or at least one rechargeable
battery.
10. A doll comprising: a microprocessor contained within the doll,
the microprocessor being coupled to a printed circuit board having
preinstalled firmware containing a code wherein the code is a
string of digits; at least two power sources contained within the
doll; at least one speaker contained within the doll, the at least
one speaker generates a continuous sound effect upon activation;
and a liquid crystal display (LCD), the liquid crystal display
having a translucent covering.
11. The doll of claim 10 further comprising at least one digital
gyroscope.
12. The doll of claim 10 wherein the sound effect is a tone or
dialogue.
13. The doll of claim 10 wherein the at least two power sources are
a combination of at least one rechargeable battery and at least one
dry cell battery or any combination thereof.
14. The doll of claim 10 wherein the continuous sound effect can be
silenced by a completion of a plurality of challenges.
15. The doll of claim 10 wherein the code is displayed on the
LCD.
16. A method of silencing a doll comprising: receiving a string of
digits, the string of digits being in numerical length of about one
(1) to about seven (7) digits and being displayed on a LCD screen;
accessing a mobile application associated with the sound emitting
device; inputting the string of digits into the mobile application;
receiving a plurality of challenges; and completing the plurality
of challenges to silence the sound emitting device.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of challenges are
level, turn, time, trivia, or pattern based or any combination
thereof.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the number and type of the
plurality of challenges are randomly generated.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising: answering at least
one question displayed on the LCD screen.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one question is
answered by depressing a touch based sensor corresponding to the
answer.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No.
61/842,166 filed on Jul. 2, 2013, the contents of which are fully
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention relates to toys, namely dolls
that have auditory and visual components and methods of ceasing
said auditory and visual components. In particular, using a code
comprising any combination of tactile, visual, and auditory
elements, the present invention makes a continuous noise upon
activation and only a properly entered code or sequence or the like
can quiet the doll.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Toys and games have long been a staple of society as a way
to entertain the masses. They have evolved from the most basic of
games, such as marbles, to highly complex machines such as today's
video game consoles. Nowadays, the toy market is a multi-billion
dollar business with no signs of slowing down.
[0004] The integration of printed circuit boards and
microprocessors into what used to be the simplest of toys has
fundamentally changed the way children now play and interact with
their toys. Dolls used to simply be just a doll. Now, however, they
can move, talk, walk, and respond to external stimuli. Some dolls
have "needs" controlled by preset programs to let an individual
know when they need to be fed or changed. Once the appropriate
action has been taken, the doll will then react accordingly. For
example, a crying doll may signal the owner to "feed" the doll, and
the owner "feeding" the doll will cause the crying to cease. These
dolls have become quite popular among children and more advanced
versions are used in schools to teach responsibility to
adolescents.
[0005] However, this opens up a market for toys that do not quit
talking or making noise simply because you want them to, or by
performing a simple action. They require much more substantive
action to be taken and may be quieted only by the person who knows
the secret mechanism or code necessary. The purpose is to playfully
annoy another by leaving them with the task of quieting the device.
The current invention addresses these needs.
Review of Related Technology:
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,346 pertains to an infant simulator
capable of emulating the care requirements of an infant and
recording the quality of care and responsiveness of a person caring
for the infant simulator and/or signaling the person caring for the
infant simulator when care is required. The infant simulator is
capable of sensing the unacceptable environmental conditions of
exposure to direct sunlight and exposure to temperature extremes
and to which the infant simulator is subjected. The infant
simulator is also programmed with the ancillary features of
multiple behavior modes based upon the historic level of care
experienced by the infant, and/or the health of the infant, and
perceptibly different demand and distress signals for each type of
environmental event.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. RE36,776 discloses an infant care simulation
system for use in teaching individuals the realities,
responsibilities and constraints inherent in caring for young
babies. The system also demonstrates the special problems of
drug-dependent babies. Basically, the system includes a doll having
the shape and weight of a young baby and accessories of the sort
used with such a baby. The doll and accessories are assigned to an
individual for an extended period such as several days. A sound
system and electronic circuitry are included within the doll to
generate sounds simulating a baby crying at selected intervals for
selected time periods. A spring loaded key or other manual switch
is provided so that the individual can turn off the crying sound by
holding the key in an off position. Preferably the key is secured
to the assigned individual in a way preventing it being given to
another person. Indicators showing rough handling, improper
positioning of the doll, periods before a response is made to a
crying signal, etc. are provided. Mechanisms demonstrating the
characteristics of a drug-dependent baby are included. The overall
system also includes accessories, such as car seats, strollers and
diaper bags that are to be taken everywhere with the doll.
[0008] U.S. Patent Application 2008/0176481 discloses an
interactive baby doll. The interactive 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.
[0009] Various devices are known in the art. However, their
structure and means of operation are substantially different from
the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the
problems taught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment
of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be
described in more detail herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The current invention describes and teaches a sound emitting
device having a microprocessor contained within the sound emitting
device, the microprocessor having preinstalled firmware containing
a code wherein the code is numerical or orientation based; a power
source contained within the sound emitting device; and at least one
speaker contained within the sound emitting device, the at least
one speaker generates a continuous sound effect upon activation,
and the sound emitting device may have at least one digital
gyroscope contained therein.
[0011] Preferably, the sound emitting device is a doll, which emits
a tone or a dialogue upon activation. This tone or dialogue is
emitted continuously until a particular code is correctly entered.
In this instance, the code may be spatially (orientation) based and
the code may be completed by orienting the appendages in a
particular configuration.
[0012] The sound emitting device may further have at least two
touch based sensors, at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs), and
a touch based code. Here, a first tone would correspond to a first
sensor and a first light, whereas a second tone corresponds to a
second senor and a second light and so forth. This touch based code
is preferably a pattern of tones and lights that must be correctly
repeated by the user after first displayed by the sound emitting
device. The sound emitting device is powered by at least one dry
cell battery or at least one rechargeable battery.
[0013] In another embodiment, there is a doll having a
microprocessor contained within the doll, the microprocessor having
preinstalled firmware containing a code wherein the code is a
string of digits; at least two power sources contained within the
doll; at least one speaker contained within the doll, wherein the
at least one speaker generates a continuous sound effect upon
activation; and a liquid crystal display (LCD), the liquid crystal
display having a translucent covering. The doll may further
comprise at least one digital gyroscope. Upon activation, the code
is displayed on the embedded LCD. The doll emits a tone or dialogue
until a plurality of challenges linked to the corresponding code
have been completed, upon which the doll ceases to continue making
noise. The doll is powered by at least one dry battery and at least
one rechargeable battery.
[0014] Further, a method of silencing a sound emitting device is
disclosed having the steps of receiving a string of digits, the
string of digits being in numerical length of 1-7 digits; accessing
a mobile application associated with the sound emitting device;
inputting the string of digits into the mobile application;
receiving a plurality of challenges; and completing the plurality
of challenges to silence the sound emitting device. The plurality
of challenges are designed to be, level, turn, or pattern based, or
any combination of the aforementioned challenge types. The number,
type and difficulty of challenges assigned to a user are designed
to be random.
[0015] In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the
following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives.
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound
emitting device that requires substantive user interaction.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound
emitting device that emits a continuous and annoying tone or
dialogue.
[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound
emitting device that has multiple power sources and cannot be
silenced by removing one of the power sources.
[0019] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound
emitting device that can only be silenced by the manual input of a
particular code or completion of a series of challenges.
[0020] It is an object of the present invention to provide a doll
that makes a continuous sound, and requires user interaction to
silence the sound.
[0021] It is an object of the present invention to provide a doll
that requires a user to interact with a mobile application.
[0022] It is an object of the present invention to provide a doll
gives commands to a user.
[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for silencing the sound emitting device or doll.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of silencing a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in
the various figures are identified, as far as possible, with the
same reference numerals. Reference will now be made in detail to
embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided
by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not
intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in
the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and
viewing the present drawings that various modifications and
variations can be made thereto without deviating from the
innovative concepts of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The sound emitting device 100 preferably takes the form
of a doll. However, one will appreciate that the sound emitting
device 100 may take any number of forms including household items,
personal items, and electronics. The sound emitting device 100
preferably has a head 101, two arms 102, a torso 108, and two legs
104. Each of the appendages (including the head 101) can move or
twist independently of one another to change the position of the
body as need be. The electrical components are disposed within the
device. The internal components may include a printed circuit board
103, microprocessor 109, speaker(s) 114, LEDs 112, power sources
107, wiring (not shown), and digital gyroscope(s) 111. In some
instances, there at least two power sources 107 such that the
device 100 can function with only one of the two power sources 107
coupled to the device 100, thereby preventing a user from
attempting to silence the device by removing a power source
107.
[0030] The sound emitting device 100 begins to emit a continuous
sound through at least one of the speaker(s) 114 upon activation.
Activation of the device 100 may be prompted by a number of means
including depressing any of the touch based sensors 106, orienting
a limb in a particular direction, by changing the orientation of
the device 100 as a whole, or by a start switch (not shown). Once
activated, the only way to silence the device 100 is to complete
the step(s) required by the preinstalled firmware. These step or
steps can vary depending on the preinstalled settings of each
device 100.
[0031] The device 100 may be silenced by the changing the
orientation of the limb or limbs. Each of the limbs preferably are
operably coupled to a three axis digital gyroscope 111. In some
instances, it may or may not be necessary to include the gyroscopes
111 in each of the limbs and various configurations employing the
gyroscopes 111 may exist. The digital gyroscopes 111 send spatial
orientation readouts to the microprocessor 109 which processes the
information. When the correct orientation is achieved, a signal is
sent from the microprocessor 109 to silence the speakers 114 and
consequently the device 100. As stated, the orientation necessary
may include more than one limb. For example, the right arm may need
to be rotated upwards about 90.degree. and the left leg needs to be
rotated outwards about 90.degree.. Upon completion, the device 100
will silent itself.
[0032] Alternatively, the device 100 may be silenced by repeating a
particular sequence presented to the user. In this case, the LEDs
112 located in each of the appendages will flash. Accompanying the
flash may be a sound or tone produced by a speaker 114 located in
each appendage respectively. The user then interacts with the
device 100 by repeating the light and sound sequence by depressing
the touch based sensors 106 located in the corresponding
appendages. The length of the sequence will vary, and the sequence
may get sequentially longer as the user plays along. Additionally,
the sequences and response time(s) for the user may be timed. That
is, if the user were to take too long on any one move or on the
sequence as a whole, the user would fail. For example, the first
pattern may be one light and one sound and the final pattern could
be ten lights and ten sounds. If the user were to fail by employing
the wrong sensor or taking too much time between depressing the
sensors, then the pattern resets and the user starts at the first
sequence.
[0033] Yet another silencing process may involve the user following
directions given to them by the device 100. In this instance, the
touch based sensors 106 and gyroscopes 111 would provide the
information to the microprocessor 109 to confirm the directives are
being followed correctly. Thus, the device may instruct the user to
"squeeze the right hand" or "move the right leg." Following these
directives correctly adds to the sequence as stated above. By
making an incorrect move, the process restarts at the beginning.
The device 100 may also include a command before the directive such
as, "I ask you to move my right leg." Only directives employing
that particular "I ask" or similarly phrased commands are valid and
contribute to the correct sequence. Thus, if a user follows a
directive without the proper command then the user has failed and
the sequence restarts.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention. The embodiment is substantially similar to
and contains the elements and functionality as described in FIG. 1.
The inclusion of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 210 provides a more
interactive experience. For protection purposes, the LCD 210 is
preferably covered with a translucent covering 212. The LCD 210 may
be circular in shape as shown. However, the LCD 210 may be a number
of shapes including square, triangular, or rectangular. The
location of the LCD 210 may vary depending on the particular doll
to a location best suited for that doll. The translucent covering
212 may be a polymer or plastic of an appropriate strength and
clarity as to protect the display underneath.
[0035] Here, the LCD 210 is capable of expressing various
characters and numerals. In some instances, the LCD 210 may be of
higher quality and capable of displaying more complex graphics,
such as images. Once the device 100 is activated, the tone or
dialogue begins to emanate from the speakers 114. Depending on the
preinstalled firmware, one of at least two different actions can
occur. Upon activation, a string of numerals will appear on the LCD
210. This string of numerals is required to aid in the user
deactivating the device 100. The numerals are a code which outputs
a random number and random type of challenge(s). The successful
completion of these challenges is what will silence the device
100.
[0036] Alternatively, the device 100 may prompt the user with a
manual code comprising manipulating a number of the installed
sensors on the device 100. In this instance, the device 100, asks a
user to guess the code. The code being a combination of moving
appendages and/or squeezing the touch based sensor(s) 106. After
the user inputs a specified amount of actions, the LCD 210 will
display the number of correct actions (i.e. 3 of 5 correct). The
user then manipulates the device 100 again to receive another
readout. This process continues until the code is completed in a
trial and error scenario. In some instances, the device 100 may
give a readout on the LCD 210 wherein the sequence of the code
guessed correctly is identified (i.e. 3 of 5 correct, actions 1, 3,
and 4 are correct). As previously stated, the user must again
achieve completion of the code in this scenario as well.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a frontal view of another alternate embodiment
of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to that of
FIG. 2 but does not contain the LCD 210, translucent covering 212,
and the associated functionality. In this embodiment, the device
100 may be dressed in Western themed attire. The device 100 again
has a head 101, two arms 102, a torso, 108, and two legs 104. This
embodiment also contains touch based sensors 106, speakers 114, and
LEDs 112 and may contain other components as previously described
in FIG. 1. However, whereas, in FIG. 1 the code is orientation
based and in FIG. 2 may require one to interact with a mobile
application (see FIG. 4), the code in this embodiment is preferably
sung by the device 100.
[0038] Once the user presses the start switch or other means of
activating the device 100, the device 100 begins to sing. The song
may vary in accordance with the particular dress theme or character
of the device 100, and in this instance the song may be similar to
a square dance routine. The song may require the user to interact
with the LEDs 112 or touch based sensors 106. For example, the
device 100 may sing a command such as "squeeze my left hand and
spin me around." The user can then depress the touch based sensor
106 in the left hand, and the spinning of the device 100 can be
monitored by the digital gyroscope 111 (see FIG. 1).
[0039] The device 100 may try to mislead or confuse the user. This
may be done with such commands "squeeze my right hand." In most
instances, especially when under pressure or by way of a rapid fire
of commands, a user may squeeze the left hand (the user's right)
instead of the device's 100 right hand. This would cause a reset of
the song, and the user would have to start again from the
beginning. Additionally, the device may increase or decrease the
frequency of the directives in the song. These changes may be in
response to a user getting a particular number of commands correct
or incorrect in a row. The device 100 may embody a number of other
alternative characters such as pop singers, rock stars, and sports
fans.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart demonstrating a method of silencing
a sound emitting device 400. The method 400 starts with a user
receiving a string of digits from a sound emitting device 100. The
string of digits is displayed on the LCD 210 (see FIG. 2) embedded
in the sound emitting device 100. The length of the string of
digits may vary but will represent a number of between 1 and 7
digits in length. The particular number received by the user
corresponds to a particular set of challenges for the user to
complete to silence the sound emitting device 100.
[0041] The user then accesses the mobile application 404 associated
with the sound emitting device 100. In the written code for the
mobile application are numbers that correspond to the output
numerical string. When the user inputs the numerical string 406,
the corresponding set of challenges is presented to the user 408.
If the user incorrectly inputs the numerical string given to them,
they will be redirected and prompted to input the numerical string
again 416. Upon a successful input, the challenges are presented to
the user 408. The challenges may take a number of forms including
but not limited to level-based, turn-based (against computer),
timed memory sequences, reaction time sequences, trivia, timed
trivia, and direction following. The user completes a random number
of random challenges generated by the mobile application. Upon, and
only upon, completion of all the challenges 410 the device will
deactivate and turn off 412. If the user does not complete all the
challenges or cannot, then the device will stay active 418.
[0042] Alternatively, there may be questions presented on the LCD
210. The answers may be designated by a letter (i.e. A, B, C, etc.)
or by a body part such as LH (left hand). If designated by a
letter, the letter will correspond to a certain body part. By
depressing a touch based sensor 106 in that part, the user answers
the question. The same goes for if an answer is identified by the
body part instead of a letter. This methodology follows the same
method 400 identified above, replacing the need to access a web or
mobile based application. While this methodology was described in
relation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it can be applicable to
any embodiment of the present invention described herein or
otherwise.
* * * * *