Toy action figures are becoming increasingly popular, and are normally miniature figures having a configuration and visual appearance which represent a person, an animal or thing of an exciting nature, such as comic or movie characters, national heroes, science fiction personalities, celebrities or the like. Current action figures include articulated parts, and in the case of a human figure, articulated body parts such as arms, legs, head etc. Examples of toy action figures are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,879 (Rissman et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,931 (Allen et al).
An action figure is normally associated with a number of toy devices and accessories to provide a plurality of playing sets, which may be unique to the action figure. A player normally uses his or her imagination to interact the action figure with a playing set in a plurality of playing activities. Such playing activities are usually influenced by the player's perception of the background and personality profile of the action figure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,140 (Lebensfeld et al.) discloses toy action figures and detachable accessories, which incorporate audio generating apparatus.
To the knowledge of the inventor, there are no action figures, available in the market place, which can directly control or affect the operation of another toy apparatus to provide predetermined playing activities. An example of a toy apparatus which operation can be affected by interactive action figures is a remote control toy car. An action play set to modify the functionality of this remote control toy car depicts a child as an auto driver instructor, and a plurality of action figures as student drivers. Such an action play set will provide the child with hours of enjoyment through the interaction of the action figures with the toy car apparatus.
This invention relates to toys and in particular to action figures that interact with other toy and game devices to provide a broad spectrum of educational, fun related and entertaining activities. Unlike most action figures, which are based on fairy tales and fictitious characters, one object of this invention is to provide action figures that represent typical neighborhood kids, and which can be personalized by the child based on his or her imagination and/or associations.
It is also an object of this invention to make action figures interactive by incorporating electrical and/or electronic devices and components that provide a unique identity to each action figure.
It is another object of this invention to provide action figures that can interact directly with other toy and game devices to control or affect the operation of said devices in a predetermined manner.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a plurality of action figures, each of which comprises electrical and/or electronic components capable of storing alphanumeric and/or binary information to fully describe associated personality attributes of the action figure or, in the alternative, capable of storing a unique code. Such unique code can be used by a host toy to access information related to the personality attributes of the action figure, and stored in the memory of the host toy.
It is another object of this invention to provide a plurality of action figures, each of which comprises either wire or wireless interfaces to communicate the attributes and personality traits of said action figures, or the unique identification codes, to other game and toy apparatus, and to interact with these apparatus by controlling their functionality and operations in a predetermined manner.
It is another object of this invention to provide a plurality of interactive action figures, which can be used interchangeably with different toy apparatus.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an action figure that can be programmed by the child into a plurality of different personalities, and which can interact with other toy or game devices to control or affect the operation of said devices.
It is another object of this invention to provide an example of a toy apparatus which functionality and operation can be controlled and/or affected by a plurality of action figures.
It is still an object of the current invention to provide a play set that consists of a remote controlled vehicle, and a plurality of action figures, each of which interacts with the vehicle in accordance with a predetermined motion profile.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a remote controlled vehicle with provisions for external plug in memory to store data for additional action figures and/or motion profiles.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an alternate embodiment that consists of a doll device that interacts with a plurality of action figures in the form of pet animals.
It is another object of the invention to achieve the above objectives in an economical and easy to implement fashion.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention by providing a plurality of action figures each of which comprises electrical and/or electronic components capable of storing information that uniquely identifies the action figure. The stored information can also include the personality attributes of the action figure. Alternatively, such personality attributes can be stored in the host toy device. Further, each action figure includes wire or wireless interfaces to communicate with host toy devices. Such electrical components and interfaces are contained on or within the action figure.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the visual appearance, costume and other characteristic of a toy action figure is coordinated with its personality profile, or personality attributes, stored either within the action figure, or in a host toy device. In one preferred embodiment, a plurality of action figures depicting teenage boys and girls are provided. Each action figure includes passive wiring, and a four (4) pin connectors to provide a unique binary identity to the action figure. The connector also provides a wire interface to identify the action figure to a host toy apparatus. There is no source of electrical power inside the action figure. The action figure receives electrical energy via one of the four pins, identified as the battery pin, from the host toy apparatus. The battery pin in turns energizes the appropriate pin(s) that define the identity of the action figure. This preferred embodiment provides for seven (7) different binary identities. The personality attributes of each action figure are stored in the host toy device, and are associated with the action figure using the unique binary identifier. For the preferred embodiment, the personality attributes includes data on how each action figure interacts with the host toy apparatus. Such data could be explicit, or implied by the actions of the host toy apparatus. Also the personality profile of each action figure is coordinated with its visual appearance, costume and other physical characteristics. An alternate embodiment provides a plurality of action figures each of which includes a programmable memory device, which can store alphanumeric information such as a name, gender, birth date, personality attributes, habits or attributes related to the host toy, and the like.
The host toy described in the preferred embodiment consists of a remote control car having speed, directional, and steering controls. These controls are provided on a remote control apparatus, and can be used by a player to operate the toy car similar to traditional remote control car devices. The remote control apparatus, also, includes a control switch having two positions identified as “student” and “instructor.” Further, the toy vehicle comprises a microprocessor that controls the operation of the vehicle, and includes a Read Only Memory (ROM) that stores a plurality of motion profiles, each of which corresponds to an action figure, and constitutes a part of the personality attributes of the associated action figure. Additional motion profiles can be provided through the use of a plug in memory device such as flash memory.
When the control switch is set to the “instructor” position, the speed, directional and steering functions on the remote control apparatus are enabled, and the player can use these controls to provide directional, speed and steering commands to the microprocessor in order to operate the toy vehicle. Alternatively, when the control switch is set to the “student” position, the microprocessor uses one of the plurality of stored motion profiles to control the operation of the vehicle. Upon connecting an action figure to a seatbelt connector, the microprocessor will first ascertain the identity of the action figure, and will then fetch the corresponding motion proffie data from its memory. A set of motion profile data consists of a series of motion commands, each of which includes directional, speed, or steering signals. These signals are generated as a function of time using the point in time when a proceed signal is given by the player as the start or origin of the motion profile. A motion profile may consist of repeated simple patterns of movements, such as circles, squares, figure eights, or may consist of a series of movements, including forward and reverse driving, in combination with left and right turns. The main attributes of a motion profile includes the direction of motion (forward or reverse), speed of motion, rate of acceleration, rate of deceleration (stop actions), predetermined or random turns, and sound and visual effects such as blowing the horn, activating headlights, emergency lights, or turn signals. A motion profile may also include one or a plurality of verbal communications that are personalized to the action figure.
As an optional feature, a motion profile for a particular action figure can be established by the player, using the controls on the remote control apparatus (with the control switch set to the “instructor” position), and then stored in the memory of the host toy (remote control toy) using an additional store function.
These and other more detailed and specific objectives will be disclosed in the course of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings where the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention hereto,
Further, the front seat compartment includes a seatbelt 110 with an electrical connector 36 that can be plugged into an action
In order to implement the above described binary identification scheme, and as indicated in
For the preferred embodiment, the controls for the toy car are located on a remote control apparatus that communicate with the toy car using infrared (IR), or radio frequency (RF) modules.
Alternatively, when the switch is set to the second position, referred to as the “S” position (“student” position), the control program stored in ROM 62 directly controls the speed, directional, steering, and other functions of the vehicle. The control program includes a plurality of motion profile cycles, each of which is associated with an action figure identity. Upon the activation of the control switch to the “student” position, and if an action figure is connected to the seatbelt 36, the microprocessor will read the identity of the action figure, and fetch the motion profile cycle data corresponding to that action figure from ROM 62. Then upon the activation of any control on the remote control apparatus, to signal that the student (action figure) is ready to drive the vehicle, the microprocessor will execute a program segment that controls the movement of the car using said motion profile cycle data. At any time during the execution of the motion profile program segment, the player can activate the control switch on the remote control apparatus to regain control of the vehicle.
A motion profile cycle consists of a series of motion command signals, which are generated as a function of time. Time “zero” is defined as the point in time when a switch is activated on the remote control apparatus to begin the execution of the motion profile cycle. Alternatively, a motion profile cycle can be based on motion commands that are generated as a function of distance traveled. In such case, the control program will use the distance information received from the motion sensor 34 to trigger the motion command signals, and other events such as audible and visual effects.
The motion command signals include acceleration, speed, directional, steering, and braking signals that would result in a desired pattern of movements. Also, overlaid on the motion commands are sound effects that correspond to the various elements of the motion profile. For example, upon the commencement of the motion profile cycle, and before the movement of the car, the microprocessor will generate a sound effect simulating turning the engine on. Also, prior to executing a steering command, the microprocessor may activate the appropriate turn signal lights 28 & 30. Further, the microprocessor will generate a braking sound effect to coincide with an abrupt stopping of the vehicle. The coordination of sound and visual effects with elements of a motion profile is dependent on the driving attributes of the associated action figure. For example, if an action figure has a habit of not activating the turn signal lights prior to making a turn, said lights will not be activated. Additional effects may include turning, or flashing, the headlights “on” and “off” 26, generating a sound to simulate the activation of a horn, activating emergency or brake indications, generating a verbal communication requesting the student to slow down, obey driving rules, or the like.
It should be noted that the use of a remote control apparatus is disclosed solely for describing the preferred embodiment. As would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skills in the art, the action figure can interact in the same manner described herein with a battery operated motorized toy vehicle. A remote control apparatus is not necessary for the basic functionality provided by the present invention. Further, the toy vehicle itself can take any of a plurality of shapes or forms. For example, the host toy device could have the shape of passenger vehicle, a van, a truck, an emergency vehicle such as a police car, a fire truck, or an ambulance, a motorcycle, or a military vehicle such as a personnel carrier, a tank or the like.
A block diagram of the control circuitry for the host car device 10 is illustrated in
It should be noted that the above description of the control circuit of the device is provided as an example for illustration purposes only, and is not intended to limit the present invention. As would be obvious to those skilled in the art, a toy designer would most likely select a micro-controller with built-in audio driver to control the host toy car device. Such micro-controller may include A/D converters, I/O ports that can be configured as input or output ports, and an audio driver. The I/O ports of the micro-controller can be used to connect the various input and output devices directly to the micro-controller without the need for any interface and coding devices or memory decoder drivers. Such micro-controllers are well known to those skilled in the art.
The central processing unit 60 controls the flow of all information throughout the entire car device under the direction of the control program. The control program resides in the read only memory (ROM) 62. A plurality of dry cell batteries 82 is positioned beneath the car seats. These batteries 82 are fed to power control circuits 86, which is controlled by an ON/OFF switch 16. The power control circuits provides power to the central processing unit 60, the LEDs for the headlights 26, and the turn signal lights 28 & 30, the servo controls 18 & 20, the electric motor, as well as to the battery pin (B) of the seatbelt connector 36.
A block diagram for the transmitter module is shown in
Similarly, a block diagram of the receiver module is shown in
With respect to the operation of this interactive play set, the logic steps utilized for the preferred embodiment are illustrated in flow diagram form in
Referring again to
Upon the activation of the control switch to the “student” position, the microprocessor, under the direction of the control program, will ignore the speed, directional, steering, and other commands received from the remote control apparatus. However, the control program will still detect the activation of any switch on the remote control apparatus. This detection function is used to initiate a motion profile cycle associated with an action figure. The control program will next check if an action
Alternatively, if an action
Upon receiving said signal from the player, the microprocessor will generate directional, speed and steering commands based on the data stored in RAM 64, and at intervals defined by the motion profile. The microprocessor will also generate sound and visual signals, as defined by the motion profile, and at the time or distance intervals specified in the profile. The microprocessor will continue to execute the stored motion commands until the completion of the motion profile cycle. If the control switch remains in the “student” position, and the same action figure remains plugged in, the control program will repeat the motion profile cycle. An option to the preferred embodiment will provide a plurality of motion profiles for each action figure. Under such option, upon the expiration of a motion profile cycle, the control program will select a different motion profile for the same action figure, and will execute said motion profile, in the same manner, using the new data stored in RAM 64. At any time during The execution of a motion profile cycle, the player can regain control of the car device, by activating the control switch to the “instructor” position.
A typical motion profile cycle is shown in
Similarly the graph shown in
It should be noted that the use of a toy vehicle herein is only for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment, and is not intended to limit the invention hereto. An alternate embodiment may use a doll in the shape of a child as the host toy. In such case, the action figures are depicted as a plurality of pets that include a dog, a cat, a horse, a bird, or the like. Some of these action figures could be mechanized, and include a control mechanism responsive to signals received from the doll device. Such mechanized pet animals are well known in the art. Also, each action figure has a unique identification, and is capable of performing certain acts. For example a dog action figure is capable of producing a “barking” sound effect, and could include mechanical parts that enables it to move its tail, and fold its rear legs. Similar actions responsive to requests or commands by the doll device are provided by the remaining action figures.
The doll host toy device includes an input control mechanism to enable a player to interact with it. The doll also includes a leach that is used as a connector, and can be attached to an animal's neck. Similar to the car device, the doll interacts with each of the action figures in a predetermined manner. The doll includes a microprocessor, and a control program stored in its Read Only Memory (ROM). Upon connecting an action figure to the leach connector, the microprocessor identifies the action figure, and executes a control program segment to initiate and control the interactions between the doll device and said action figure. These interactions may include verbal statements, requests, or commands from the doll device, followed by responses by the action figure. For example, the doll device can command a dog to sit, bark, or wiggle its tail, and the dog device will comply with these commands using signals received from the doll device. In such play set, the functionality of the host toy, i.e. the specific interactions generated by the doll, is dependent on which action figure is connected to the doll. Further, an action figure's response is controlled by signals received from the doll device.
It should be noted that the description of a leach to interconnect the doll device with a pet animal action figure is for the purpose of describing the alternate embodiment, and is not intended to limit the scope of this invention. As would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skills in the art, other means of communication could be used to communicate or exchange information between the doll device and a pet animal action figure. For example, radio frequency (RF) communication, infrared (IR) communication, or magnetic coupling devices could be used to enable the doll device to identify an action figure and communicate with it.
Further, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, additional alternate embodiments may be based on different host toys, and action figures. For example, other action figures may include fictitious or cartoon characters, national heroes, movie characters, TV personalities or the like. Further, the logical flow diagram shown in
This utility application benefits from provisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 60/508,907, filed on Oct. 7, 2003.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60508907 | Oct 2003 | US |