Computerized toy

• US 20010049248A1
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Limited (Silverlit Toys)
• Original Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Limited (Silverlit Toys)
• Inventors: Choi, Kei Fung
• Granted Patent: US 6,620,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/356
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 11/00 Self-movable toy figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

A computerized toy system has a body having the appearance of an animal. The computerized toy system permits the animal to adopt different attitudes and positions, the positions including at least three of a lying attitude, a sitting attitude, a working attitude, a standing attitude and different types of walking attitudes. There are limbs having joints to permit for movement of the toy. There are sufficient in number to permit for a relatively natural and smooth manner of movement representation of the animal. The body construct or skin appearance renders the toy realistic of an animal. The skin appearance may selectively be a fur or plush-type body.

Claims

1. A computerized toy system comprising:

a body having the appearance of an animal;

means in the body for permitting the animal to adopt different attitudes and positions, the positions including at least three of a lying attitude, a sitting attitude, a working attitude, a standing attitude and different types of walking attitudes;

the body including limbs having joints to permit for movement of the body, the joints being sufficient in number to permit for a relatively natural and smooth manner of movement representation of the animal; and

the body including a construct or skin appearance rendering the toy realistic of an animal, the skin appearance being selectively a fur or plush-type body.

2. A toy as claimed in

claim 1

including at least 16 joints, and 16 computerized means, a computerized means being for operating each respective joint.

3. A toy as claimed in

claim 1

including no more than 16 joints, and no more than 16 computerized means, a computerized means being for operating each respective joint.

4. A toy as claimed in

claim 1

including sound recognition means and means for having the body respond by movement in a direction of the sound source.

5. A toy as claimed in

claim 4

including means for turning the head of an animal in the direction of the source of sound and means for having the body move relative to a physical environment on which it rests in the direction of the sound.

6. A toy as claimed in

claim 5

including means in the body for recognizing a human voice and being reactive to the human voice.

7. A toy as claimed in

claim 6

including means for submitting commands to the body via voice and for the body to respond to the voice control and selectively including means operable by a button a controller for operating the body.

8. A toy as claimed in

claim 1

including means for having the toy respond with a second toy selectively of a similar nature to the first toy.

9. A toy as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the toy is programmed to have a set of initial behavior characteristics, and wherein the behavior characteristics are relatively uniquely set for a particular toy.

10. A toy as claimed in

claim 9

including means for changing behavior characteristics of the toy by interaction with the user.

11. A toy as claimed in

claim 10

wherein the computer programmable means on the toy are editable via an online connection with a computer.

12. A method of operating a computerized toy system comprising:

creating a body having the appearance of an animal;

causing the computerized toy system to permit the animal to adopt different attitudes and positions, the positions including at least three of a lying attitude, a sitting attitude, a working attitude, a standing attitude and different types of walking attitudes;

causing the body to have a relatively natural and smooth manner of movement representation of the animal; and

constructing the body to appear realistic of an animal.

13. A method as claimed in

claim 12

including causing the toy to recognize sound and means for having the toy respond by movement in a direction of the sound source.

14. A method as claimed in

claim 13

including turning the head of an animal in the direction of the source of sound and having the toy move relative to a physical environment on which it rests in the direction of the sound.

15. A method as claimed in

claim 14

including recognizing a human voice and being reactive to the human voice.

16. A method as claimed in

claim 15

including submitting commands to the toy via voice and having the toy respond to the voice control and selectively including operability by a button a controller for operating the toy.

17. A method as claimed in

claim 12

including having a toy respond with a second toy selectively of a similar nature to the first toy.

18. A method as claimed in

claim 12

including a set of initial behavior characteristics, and wherein the behavior characteristics are relatively uniquely set for a particular toy.