Method and system for interactive toys

• US 20010049249A1
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Katheryne Smith
• Original Assignee: Katheryne Smith
• Inventors: Johnson-Williams, Mark, Tachau, Jeremy, Spadoni, Aldo
• Application Number:
  US09/900,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/397
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/34 Arrangements for imitating the noise of motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/001 Making or assembling thereof, e.g. by folding
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/02 Model aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for an interactive toy which synthesizes sound in real time in response to changing events. At least one sensor provides continuous motion information, including at least information related to the angular position and the velocity of at least one toy portion'"'"'s motion relative to a second toy portion. Each toy portion resembles portions of a vehicle. A memory is used to store data relating to a plurality of play scenarios as well as to store information related to a user'"'"'s play pattern. A processor is coupled to the memory and the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to select one of the play scenarios based on at least the continuous motion information and to produce synthesized sounds resembling sounds made by real versions of at least one of the two toy portions in response to at least the continuous motion information, the play pattern information, and the selected play scenario.

Claims

1. An interactive toy which synthesizes sound in real time in response to changing events, said toy comprising:

at least one sensor which provides continuous motion information, including at least information related to the angular position and the velocity of at least one toy portion'"'"'s motion relative to a second toy portion, said toy portions resembling portions of a vehicle;

a memory used to store data relating to a plurality of play scenarios, said memory also used to store information related to a user'"'"'s play pattern; and

a processor coupled to said memory and said at least one sensor, said processor configured to select one of said play scenarios based on at least said continuous motion information and to produce synthesized sounds resembling sounds made by real versions of at least one of said two toy portions in response to at least said continuous motion information, said play pattern information, and said selected play scenario.

2. An interactive toy which synthesizes sound in real time in response to changing events, said toy comprising:

at least one sensor which provides an indication of the relative motion of at least two portions of said toy in at least two axes, said toy portions resembling portions of a vehicle;

a sound synthesizer coupled to said at least one sensor, wherein said sound synthesizer generates an audio signal in response to motion sensed in said two axes.

3. An interactive toy comprising:

at least a first movable portion;

a body of said toy coupled to said first movable portion;

at least a first sensor configured to provide information relating to the movement of said movable portion relative said body;

at least a second sensor configured to provide information relating to movement of said toy as a whole;

a memory used to store data relating to a plurality of play scenarios; and

at least a first control circuit coupled to said first sensor, said second sensor, and said memory, said control circuit configured to respond to said play scenario data and information from said first sensor and from said second sensor by activating a shaking device which causes said toy to shake and said control circuit configured to synthesize in real-time a sound corresponding to said shaking.

4. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said first movable portion includes at least a wing.

5. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said first movable portion includes at least a turret.

6. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said corresponding sound is an engine sound.

7. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said first sensor includes at least a three-axis sensor.

8. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 3

, further comprising a pressure sensor coupled to said control circuit, said pressure sensor providing information used by said control circuit to determine if said toy is on the ground.

9. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said first sensor is configured to provide information related to an angle of rotation of said first movable portion.

10. A sound generation system for a toy, said sound generation system comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect a first continuous motion;

a second sensor configured to detect a second continuous motion; and

a processor coupled to said first sensor and said second sensor, said processor configured to generate synthesized audio upon the occurrence of either said first continuous motion or said second continuous motion, said synthesized audio related to at least the order in which said first continuous motion and said second continuous motion occur.

11. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is configured to provide sound-on-sound capability.

12. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is configured to decompress recorded sounds.

13. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is configured produce variations of stored sounds.

14. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is configured to modify at least one of a pitch, a timber, a speed, a reverberation, a waveshape or a frequency of at least one sound record.

15. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is configured to combine at least two stored sounds to create a new sound.

16. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said synthesized sound is generated using at least one formula.

17. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said synthesized sound is generated using at least a wavetable.

18. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is configured to generate a sound based at least on a sound recorded by a user.

19. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said sound generation system is located in a reusable module coupleable to a sensors in an accessory module.

20. The sound generation system as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said first sensor is a multi-axes motion sensor.

21. A processor system module for a toy, said processor system module comprising:

a processor;

at least a first interface which is user couplable to a selected one of a first peripheral module and a second peripheral module;

at least a first processor input coupleable to at least a first motion sensor located in said selected peripheral module;

at least a first processor output coupleable to at least a first transducer, wherein said processor actuates said transducer at least partly in response to motion sensed by said motion sensor; and

at least a first audio output signal, wherein said audio output signal is created by said processor at least partly in response to motion detected by said motion sensor.

22. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, further comprising a second interface which is user couplable to a third peripheral module.

23. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, wherein said processor is configured to identify a module coupled to said processor module.

24. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, wherein said sensor senses at least a motion of a first toy portion relative to a second toy portion.

25. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, wherein said sensor senses at least a position of a portion of said peripheral module.

26. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, wherein said sensor senses at least pressure.

27. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, said processor having at least one input coupled to a microphone.

28. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, wherein said processor is configured to generate at least one play situation.

29. The processor system module as defined in

claim 21

, said processor configured to execute a user-loaded program.

30. A toy comprising:

a processor;

a discrete position sensor coupled to said processor by a first signal;

a continuous motion sensor coupled to said processor by a second signal;

a memory configured to store at least a user play pattern and a user downloaded sound palette; and

a speaker coupled to said processor, said speaker configured to emit sounds based on an audio signal generated by said processor in response at least a sensed position and a sensed motion, said sound palette, and said user play pattern.

31. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said play pattern is related to how the toy was previously played with.

32. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said processor includes at least a microprocessor and a sound processor.

33. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said discrete sensor is coupled to a toy door.

34. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said continuous motion sensor is a range finder.

35. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said continuous motion sensor is a ball-in-a-cage sensor.

36. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said continuous motion sensor is a tilt sensor.

37. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said continuous motion sensor is a gyroscope.

38. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said continuous motion sensor is a light sensor.

39. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said discrete sensor senses when a toy landing gear is in a retracted position.

40. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said discrete sensor senses when a toy canopy is closed.

41. The toy as defined in

claim 30

, wherein said memory is used to store predetermined play scenarios.

42. An interactive toy, said toy comprising:

at least a first sensor which senses the relative motion of two user-accessible toy portions;

at least a second sensor which senses the orientation of said toy;

at least a first memory for storing at least a first play scenario;

a randomizer providing a substantially random output;

at least a first speaker;

a processor coupled to said first speaker, said first sensor, said second sensor, said memory, and said randomizer, said processor used to cause said speaker to emit a sound related said play scenario, said substantially random output, and to movement detected by said sensor.

43. A toy comprising:

a processor;

a motion sensor coupled to said processor;

a memory coupled to said processor, said memory used to store a user-selectable play scenario;

a sound generator coupled to said processor, said sound generator synthesizing sound based on at least motion sensed by said sensor and said user-selectable play scenario; and

a transducer actuated by said processor based on at least motion sensed by said sensor and said user-selectable play scenario.

44. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein said transducer moves a weight.

45. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, said interactive toy further comprising a communication sensor coupled to said processor for communicating with another toy.

46. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, said interactive toy further comprising a microphone for receiving audio.

47. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein said toy is responsive to voice commands.

48. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein a program used to control said processor may be loaded into said toy by a user.

49. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein a data used to control said processor may be loaded from a television set.

50. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein a program used to control said processor may be loaded from a computer.

51. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, said interactive toy further comprising a stored play pattern which is used to at least partly determine how said processor responds to inputs from said first sensor.

52. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein a play scenario may be loaded into said toy by a user.

53. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein said toy resembles a flying vehicle.

54. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein said toy resembles a motor vehicle.

55. The interactive toy as defined in

claim 43

, wherein said toy resembles a building.

56. A toy aircraft comprising:

a body;

a wing movably coupled to said body;

a sensor which detects a movement of said wing relative to said body;

a sensor which detects when said aircraft is lifted; and

a processor coupled to said sensors, said processor configured to synthesize a first audio signal when said sensors indicate movement of said first toy portion while said aircraft is being lifted, and said processor configured to synthesize a second audio signal when said sensors indicate the movement of said first toy portion when said aircraft is not being lifted.

57. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 56

further comprising an actuator coupled to a movable toy portion, wherein said actuator is controlled by said processor.

58. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 57

, wherein said movable toy portion is a canopy.

59. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 57

, wherein said movable toy portion is a wing.

60. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 57

, wherein said movable toy portion is located completely within said toy body.

61. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 57

, wherein movement of said movable toy portion initiates the shaking of said toy aircraft.

62. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 56

, further comprising a tilt sensor coupled to said processor.

63. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 56

, further comprising a light emitting device coupled to said processor, wherein said light emitting device is intended to be used to simulate cannon fire.

64. The toy aircraft as defined in

claim 56

, wherein said processor is configured to synthesize at least one of a Doppler shift sound, a gun firing sound, an engine sound, a missile launch sound, a bomb drop sound, a whirring sound, a clanking sound, and a crash sound.

65. A toy armored vehicle comprising:

a body;

a turret rotatably coupled to said body;

a cannon coupled to said turret;

at least one sensor which detects a movement of said turret relative to said body and the movement of said cannon relative to said turret;

a processor coupled to said at least one sensor, said processor configured to synthesize a first audio signal when said cannon is moving while said turret is stationary and to synthesize a second audio signal when said cannon moving while said turret moving.

66. The toy vehicle as defined in

claim 65

further comprising an actuator coupled to a movable toy portion, wherein said actuator is controlled by said processor.

67. The toy vehicle as defined in

claim 66

, wherein said movable toy portion is said cannon.

68. A modular toy system comprising:

a core module containing a processor which synthesizes sound in real time, said core module having at least one input and at least one output;

a peripheral module having a sensor for sensing at least one condition, said peripheral module being removably coupleable to said core module so that said sensor is in electrical communication with said processor input when said peripheral module is coupled to said core module, wherein said processor is configured to synthesize sound in real-time in response to said sensor sensing said at least one condition; and

a speaker coupled to said processor so that said speaker emits synthesized sound generated by said processor in response to a sensed condition.

69. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said peripheral module includes a peripheral module identifier.

70. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 69

wherein said peripheral module identifier is a physical key.

71. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 69

wherein said peripheral module identifier is an electrical circuit.

72. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 69

wherein said peripheral module identifier stored in a memory.

73. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said core module resembles at least a portion of a fuselage.

74. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said peripheral module is a wing assembly.

75. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said peripheral module is a cockpit assembly.

76. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said core module resembles at least a portion of a motor vehicle body.

77. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said peripheral module is a turret.

78. The modular toy system as defined in

claim 68

wherein said peripheral module is a turret assembly.

79. A method of operating a toy, said method comprising the acts of:

sensing motion of at least a first portion of said toy in at least two axes; and

synthesizing a sound in real-time so that said sound varies in a manner related at least in part to said sensed motion.

80. The method as defined in

claim 79

, wherein said toy is a toy vehicle.

81. The method as defined in

claim 79

, wherein said toy is a building.

82. The method as defined in

claim 79

further comprising the acts of:

sensing motion of at least a second portion of said toy; and

synthesizing a sound in real-time related to at least both sensed motion of said first portion and sensed motion of said second portion.

83. The method as defined in

claim 79

wherein said synthesized sound varies according to which toy portion is moved first in a first time period.

84. The method as defined in

claim 79

further comprising the act of providing a user input device for selecting one or more play functions.

85. An electronic toy comprising:

a means for sensing motion of at least a first portion of said toy relative to a second toy portion in a plurality of axes; and

a means for synthesizing a sound in real-time so that said sound varies in a manner related at least in part to said sensed motion.