Interactive toys

• US 20020077024A1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• 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 6,682,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/357
• 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 3/006 provided with electrical lighting electrical lighting F21
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/48 Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes or parts for animation self-moving A63H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068

Abstract

A pair of toys or novelty devices for moving relative to the surrounding environment comprises a body for each toy. The body of at least one of the toys or devices to be capable of movement over a surface. A switch with the body activates a magnet to react from one state to another state, and in the second state causing at least one of the devices or toys to move relatively closer together in the surrounding environment. A microprocessor circuit with the body is connected with the magnet such that the switch causes the magnet to operate from one state to another state. When there are a pair of toys, which appear as pets, which get together, and when they appear to kiss each other, there is emitted a kissing sound. Then the cheeks of the pets glow and become red color, resembling the human emotion and reaction.

Claims

1. A first toy for moving relative to a second toy, wherein the first toy comprises:

a body for the first toy;

at least a portion of the body of the first toy being capable of movement;

a switch with the body of the first toy for activating a magnet, the magnet being with the first toy, and the magnet being movable from a first position to a second position, and in the second position causing at least a portion of a second toy to move relatively closer relative to the first toy; and

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected through switch means with the magnet such that the switch causes a further activation of the toy.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a movable feature of the body of the first toy, the movable feature being selectively at least one of eyelids or ears.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a program in the microprocessor circuit, a sound generator, and a light-emitting device, the program being for effecting signals to effect the activation, the activation being at least one of a moving action, sound, or light, the moving action being selectively effected by a motor, the sound being created by the sound generator associated with the body, and the light being effected by the light-emitting device.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is programmed to generate at least one of a different light action or sound effect in response to signals received from the microprocessor.

24. A toy as claimed in claim 1 including a second switch operation independently of the switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational switch acting to close the circuit.

5. A method for activating a toy device or novelty device, the device including a body, and with the body there is a magnet, a switch, and an electronic circuit comprising:

moving a switch under the action of movement of a magnet;

activating an electronic circuit through the movement of the switch; and

operating the electronic circuit to thereby cause selectively a light action or sound effect in response to signals received from the microprocessor.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 including a feature on the body, and wherein the electronic circuit causes movement of the feature of the body, selectively at least one of eyelids or ears for an animal character.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 including generating a sound effect through the operation of the electronic circuit and a related sound-generator.

8. A method as claimed in claim 5 including generating signals through the electronic circuit to create a moving action from the device.

9. A method as claimed in claim 5 including having the body respond to the magnet movement change for causing the electronic circuit to selectively perform at least one, and preferably two, preset action programs.

10. A method for activating a physical toy, the toy being an animal character including a body, and with the body there is a magnet, a switch, and an electronic circuit operable after closure of the switch by the magnet comprising:

moving a magnet;

closing a switch as a result of magnet movement to thereby activate an electronic circuit;

operating the electronic circuit to cause movement of a feature of the toy in response; and

causing movement of, selectively at least one of an eyelid or ear for the animal character.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 including generating a sound effect through the operation of the electronic circuit and a related sound-generator.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 including effecting signals to create at least one of a moving action, sound, or light from the toy.

13. A method as claimed in claim 10 including having the electronic circuit respond to perform at least one, and preferably two, preset action programs in the electronic circuit.

15. A method of claim 14 including causing movement of a feature of the body, selectively at least one of an eyelid or ear for the animal character.

16. A method of claim 14 including when the two of the characters are relatively moved to touch each other there is emitted the sound of a kiss and the light source generates a glow resembling an emotion, selectively red, to depict shyness.

18. A toy as claimed in claim 17 wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

25. A toy as claimed in claim 17 including a second switch operation independently of the switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational switch acting to close the circuit.

26. A toy as claimed in claim 19 including a second switch operation independently of the switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational switch acting to close the circuit.

14. A method for activating a pair of toys in the form of two animal characters for moving relative to each other, each character comprises a body for each toy character, and wherein the activation comprises:

activating a switch with the body of at least one of the toys as a result of movement of a magnet with at least one of the toys to react from one state to a second state, such that when the magnet is in the second state at least one of the toys moves thereby causing at least one of the toys to move;

activating a light source in at least one of the toys to cause a glow in at least one of the toys; and

causing a sound generator in at least one of the toys to active a sound from at least of the toys.

17. A toy device for moving relative to the surrounding environment comprises:

a body;

the body being capable of movement;

a magnet with the body for activating a switch to react from one state to another state, and in the second state causing another device and the toy to move relatively closer together; and

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected with the magnet such that the switch causes the magnet to operate from one state to another state.

19. A pair of toys, wherein at least one is for moving relative to the surrounding environment comprises:

a body for each toy;

the body for at least one of the toys for being capable of movement;

a switch with the body for activating an electronic circuit in response to movement of a magnet from a first position to a second position, and in the second position causing at least one of the toys to move; and

the circuit being connected with the switch such that closing the switch causes operation of the circuit.

20. A pair of toys for moving relatively comprises:

a body for each toy;

the body of at least one of the toys being capable of movement over a surface;

a switch with the body of at least one of the toys for activating a magnet in the respective toy to react from one state to another state, and the magnet in the second state causing at least one of the toys to move relatively closer to the other toy, and

a microprocessor circuit with the body, the microprocessor circuit being connected with the magnet such that operation of the switch causes the magnet to move from one state to another state.

21. A toy as claimed in claim 20 wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

27. A toy as claimed in claim 20 including a second switch operation independently of the switch operational with the magnet, the independently operational switch acting to close the circuit.

22. A pair of toys in the form of two animal characters for relatively movement comprises:

a body for each toy;

the body of at least one of the toys being capable of movement over a surface to move relatively towards each other;

a switch with the body of at least one of the toys for activating a circuit with at least one of the toys when a magnet reacts from one state to a second state, such that when the magnet is in the second state at least one of the toys moves relatively closer to the other toy; and

the circuit being connected with the switch, the circuit additionally acting to active a light source in at least one of the toys to cause a glow in at least of the toys, and to cause a sound generator in at least one of the toys to active a sound from at least one of the toys.

23. A pair of toys as claimed in claim 22 wherein the sound is that of a kiss and the color is a glow resembling an emotion, selectively red, to depict shyness.