This invention relates generally to the field of figurine toys representing an animal, person or animated creature having a face. The invention also relates generally to figurine toys or other objects adapted to receive and retain a portable wireless computer device having a visual display screen, wherein software applications control the visual display.
Portable, hand-held, wireless computer devices that are smaller than laptop computers are well known, such as for example tablets, smartphones, gaming devices, music players or like devices having display screens. Tablets are represented for example by devices such as the Ipad or Itouch. Smartphones are represented for example by devices such as the Iphone or Droid. Gaming devices are represented for example by devices such as Nintendo DS or PSP gaming systems. Music players are represented for example by devices such as Ipods or MP3 players. Tablets and smartphones, as well as some gaming devices and music devices, share certain features, such as a generally rectangular shape with a prominent display screen and no hinged cover, wireless communication ability via a global communication network (i.e., the Internet) or cell networks, and the ability to download or run a multitude of software programs or applications (commonly referred to as apps) that accomplish various tasks. For simplicity, the term “smartphone-type device” shall be used herein to reference, define and include any suitable tablet, smartphone, gaming device or music player having a visual display screen.
In similar manner, the term “figurine toy” shall be used herein to reference, define and include any type of toy that includes, normally includes or presents a face possessing facial features (e.g., eyes, nose and mouth) such as for example dolls, stuffed animals, plush animals, robots, imagined creatures or the like, wherein in a particular embodiment or status the face or facial features may be hidden upon combination with the smartphone-type device, i.e., upon insertion of the smartphone-type device into a receptacle, pocket or the like provided in the figurine toy. In addition, the figurine toy may present other anatomical features, e.g., a belly, the skull, legs arms, etc., wherein in a particular embodiment or status the anatomical features may be hidden upon combination with the smartphone-type device.
Alternatively, the object retaining the smartphone-type device may comprise a medium to present a two-dimensional drawings of a person, animal, object or entity that includes, normally includes or presents a face having facial features, wherein in a particular embodiment or status the face or facial features, or anatomical features, are not visibly present, such as may be presented in book-form or in a single sheet.
Various temporary holders for smartphone-type devices are known, and some of these holders are provided as figurine toys. However, such figurine toys lack the improved features present in the current invention as disclosed and described herein—most particularly the presence of static facial features. The presence of static facial figures on the figurine toy allows the toy to be utilized as a complete and independent toy when the smartphone-type device is not combined with the figurine toy to present animated facial features.
In a broad sense, the invention comprises the combination of a figurine toy and a smartphone-type device, along with display-controlling software. The figurine toy comprises a receptacle, receiving pocket or mating area (provided for example with releasable fasteners, elastic straps, snaps, plastic frame or the like) adapted and structured to temporarily receive and retain the smartphone-type device such that the display screen of the smartphone-type device remains visible. In one embodiment, the receptacle is located in the head or face of the figurine toy and comprises an opening through which the display screen of the smartphone-type device is exposed for viewing when the smartphone-type device is positioned in the receptacle.
Preferably, a retention member, such as for example a releasable flap or strap, is provided to better retain the smartphone-type device within the figurine toy during use.
The display-controlling software application or app provides a visible animated display on the display screen of the smartphone-type device, the animated display comprising all or some facial features such as the eyes, nose and mouth when the receptacle is located at the face location. With the smartphone-type device properly positioned within the receptacle of the figurine toy, the animated display becomes the face or facial features of the figurine toy when viewed by the user. The animated display may be interactive or non-interactive with the user. In the non-interactive mode, predetermined facial actions and movements (e.g., smiling, winking, talking, singing, other images, etc.) will be presented to the user by the app. In the interactive mode, the facial actions and movements presented to the user by the app will be responsive to physical or verbal input from the user, such as by touching certain areas, tilting or other movement, or communication from other electronic devices. Activation of the visible animated display may require user action or may be automatically triggered upon insertion into the receptacle of the figurine toy. Most preferably, the apps will present two operational modes—one visual display being the animated facial expressions and the other being a traditional story telling, game playing mode featuring an animated character or characters, preferably matching the character presented by the figurine toy.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention is the combination of a figurine toy and a removable smartphone-type device; said smartphone-type device comprising a visual display screen and controlled by one or more software applications whereby animated facial features are presented on said visual display screen, wherein said smartphone-type device is chosen from the group of smartphone-type devices consisting of portable computer tablets, smartphones, gaming devices and music players, and wherein said one or more software applications provide a first mode presenting animated facial features on said visual display screen and a second mode presenting story telling or game playing displays on said visual display screen; said figurine toy comprising static facial features and a receptacle adapted to receive and retain said smartphone-type device, said receptacle comprising a front opening positioned such that said static facial features are visible through said front opening when said smartphone-type device is removed from said receptacle, and further wherein said receptacle is structured such that said static facial features are obscured by said smartphone-type device and said visual display screen of said smartphone-type device is visible through said front opening when said smartphone-type device is retained within said receptacle; whereby with said smartphone-type device positioned within said receptacle of said figurine toy, said animated facial features are presented in place of said static facial features. The invention may further embody a sensor mechanism positioned within said receptacle, said sensor mechanism adapted to communicate with said smartphone-type device upon insertion or removal of said smartphone-type device from said receptacle; wherein upon insertion of said smartphone-type device into said receptacle, said one or more software applications automatically provides said first mode presenting animated facial features on said visual display screen, and further wherein upon removal of said smartphone-type device from said receptacle, said one or more software applications provides said second mode presenting story telling or game playing displays on said visual display screen.
With reference to the drawings, the invention in various embodiments will now be described in detail, the illustrations being presented as non-limiting representations such that the shape and dimensions of the figurine toys and the smartphone-type devices, for example, may vary.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in
The receptacle 13 is a generally rectangular void, pocket, mating configuration or other construct adapted to receive and retain a smartphone-type device 20 such that the smartphone-type device 20 is temporarily yet securely retained within the receptacle 13 with the display screen 21 of the smartphone-type device 20 visible through the front opening 15 of the receptacle 13, as shown in
With the smartphone-type device 20 positioned in the receptacle 13 as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, it is also contemplated to provide sensing or recognition mechanisms 23 to communicate or control the smartphone-type device 20 such that the smartphone-type device 20 is aware of its status upon being inserted into the receptacle 13 of the figurine toy 10 or upon being separated from the figurine toy 10, such that the differing visual displays and programs are automatically activated. For example, upon insertion into the figurine toy 10, the smartphone-type device 20 app may automatically shift into the animated facial feature mode. Upon removal of the smartphone-type device 20 from the figurine toy 10, the smartphone-type device 20 app shifts to a traditional story telling or game playing mode, preferably related in content to the figurine toy 10. Any suitable sensor or mechanism 23 may be utilized to present the proper command to the smartphone-type device 20 app upon insertion or removal, such as for example physical contacts detectable by the display screen through pressure, magnetism, electronic signal or the like.
Another smartphone-type device receiving object is shown in
The dedicated software applications in effect create a virtual facial pet, i.e., a figurine toy 10 with animated facial features, or enhance the overall story with audio content or commands, when the smartphone-type device 20 is combined with the figurine toy 10, with an infinite number of possible story lines, character presentations and interactive communications and actions. In addition, the dedicated software applications will also allow the smartphone-type device 20 to present animated video presentations of a virtual pet when separated from the figurine toy 10, such as the type normally seen on a DVD player, computer screen, television or the like, such that episodic stories, detailed character information, etc. can be presented the user.
Whether interactive or non-interactive, the software applications provide for a multitude of story lines, characters, actions and the like. For example, a software application for a virtual facial pet with the smartphone-type device combined with the figurine toy 10 may operate in the following manner:
Software applications that provide for a virtual pet when the smartphone-type device 20 is not combined with the figurine toy 10 may operate in the following manner:
It is understood that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements and structures set forth above may be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/543,963, filed Oct. 6, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61543963 | Oct 2011 | US |